Hans Holbein portrait of Lord Clinton. Bartolozzi engraving.

by Holbein, Hans

Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 1st Earl of Lincoln, from the drawing by Hans Holbein the Younger, this is a hand-coloured stipple engraving by Historical Engraver to his Majesty George III, Francesco Bartolozzi .R.A (1727-1815). Bartolozzi perfected the art of stipple engraving, and was a foundation member of Royal Academy in London in 1768.

This fine portrait engraving was printed on pink India paper tissue and laid on heavy paper, for Imitations of Original Drawings by Hans Holbein, in the collection of His Majesty, for the portraits of illustrious persons of the court of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein (the Younger) (1497-1543). Published in London circa 179_? by the Keeper of the King’s Drawings and Medals and Fellow of the Society of Artists, John Chamberlaine. The artistic excellence of Holbein is personified in his court portraits, and Bartolozzi has skilfully captures the pencil drawing by Holbein - more so in this portrait with the contemporary hand-tinting.

The tissue has a faint diagonal crease at top, and slight creasing where it was attached to the backing board. There was no title printed on this engraving. The title has been pencilled at the base of the paper. Page size is 477 x 330 mm (18 3/4 x 13 inches). To edge of tissue, 420 x 315 cm (16 1/2 x 12 3/8 inches). Plate mark measures 305 x 229 mm (12 x 9 inches). Measurement to border of small engraving: 27 x 20 cm (8 1/2 x 5 5/8 inches).