Sir Thomas Overbury

Sitterback to top

• Sir Thomas Overbury (1581-1613), Poet and courtier. Sitter associated with 18 portraits.

Artistsback to top

• Simon de Passe (circa 1595-1647), Engraver. Artist associated with 198 portraits, Sitter associated with 4 portraits.
• Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 133 portraits, Sitter associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The courtier and poet Thomas Overbury had opposed the relationship between Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset and Frances Howard, who was married to the Earl of Essex. Overbury was subsequently poisoned in the Tower of London and the resulting murder investigation saw the indictment of the pair of lovers, who had since married. The inscription at the bottom is a lamentation on his ill luck and false friendships.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Nicholl, Charles, Insights: Shakespeare and His Contemporaries, 2005, p. 79

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Making History: Printed Portraiture in Tudor and Stuart Britain (7 July 2007 - 9 December 2007)

Portrait setsback to top

• Fleming Collection
• Fleming Collection

Subject/Themeback to top

• Words and inscriptions