Jacob Houbraken, “William Cecil Lord Burleigh,” 1738

Jacob Houbraken (aka Jacobus Houbraken) (1698–1780)

“William Cecil Lord Burleigh,” 1738

Technical Details & Condition:

Engraving and etching on laid paper with margins as issued. This is a second state (of two), with the addition of publication details. 

The subject is William Cecil, Lord Burleigh (1520–1598), the influential English statesman and chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. The print is part of the series “Birch's Heads” (also known as “The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, Engraved by Mr Houbraken and Mr Vertue, with their Lives and Characters by Thomas Birch, A.M.F.R.S.”), after a portrait from the collection of the Earl of Burlington (inscribed in the plate). 

It is worth noting that Lord Burleigh’s oval portrait may be a section of a larger portrait attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (1561–1636), held by the National Portrait Gallery—see https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Cecil,_1st_Baron_Burghley_from_NPG_(2).jpg.

This engraving was created by Jacob Houbraken in Amsterdam and published in London in 1738 by John Knapton (fl. 1735–1789) and his brother Paul Knapton (1703–1755). 

The impression is strong, well-printed, and in very good condition. Aside from a small dot stain in the left margin, the sheet shows no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains. 

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 41.5 x 26.5 cm
• Platemark: 37.3 x 23.8 cm
• Outer image borderline: 36.2 x 22.7 cm

Lettering:

• Within the image at lower centre: “WILLIAM CECIL / LORD BURLEIGH”
• Below the image borderline, from left to right: “J. Houbraken sculps. Amst.”; “In the Collection of the Right Hon: the Earl of Bulington.”; “Impensis J. & P. Knapton Londini 1738.”

References:

• Ver Huell 18 (Alexander Ver Huell, “Jacobus Houbraken et Son Oeuvre”, 1875, Arnhem, P. Gouda Quint, p. 104, cat. no. 18)
• O'Donoghue 4 (Freeman O'Donoghue, “Catalogue of Engraved British Portraits Preserved in the Department of Prints and Drawings in the British Museum”, 1908–25, London, cat. no. 4)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200206563
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1858-0213-141

Price & Shipping:

AU$254 (approximately US$181.40 / €156.95 / £135.42), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you’re interested in acquiring this fascinating portrait, rich with symbolic detail—such as the putto holding a caduceus (symbolic of Cecil’s diplomacy and commerce), the dog with a key (fidelity and guardianship), or the spilling cornucopia (prosperity under Cecil’s financial leadership)—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.