Sir Francis Drake

1 portrait matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Swords and shields'

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Francis Drake

attributed to Jodocus Hondius, completed by George Vertue
engraving, circa 1583
15 1/2 in. x 12 in. (394 mm x 305 mm)
Transferred from National Portrait Gallery Reference Collection, 1954
Primary Collection
NPG 3905

Sitterback to top

  • Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), Admiral and circumnavigator. Sitter associated with 39 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Jodocus Hondius (1563-1611), Artist, engraver and cartographer. Artist or producer associated with 10 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
  • George Vertue (1683-1756), Engraver and antiquary. Artist or producer associated with 865 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This large scale engraving, produced in Drake's lifetime, must have been designed to herald his status as national hero. However, very few early impressions exist and it may not have been widely circulated.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 186
  • Schama, Simon, The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits, 2015-09-15, p. 259
  • Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 70

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1583back to top

Current affairs

Francis Throckmorton plots to assassinate Queen Elizabeth I and place Mary, Queen of Scots on the English throne. The conspiracy is uncovered and Throckmorton is executed.
Sir Humphrey Gilbert establishes an English colony in Newfoundland. He is drowned on the return voyage.
The revolt in Munster, Ireland, against English rule ends with the execution of the rebel leader the Earl of Desmond. The region is devastated by famine and plague.

Art and science

The first recorded life insurance policy is issued in London.
The Italian botanist Andrea Cesalpino publishes De plantis (Of Plants) the first modern classification of plants.

International

The French Fury - François, Duke of Anjou attacks Antwerp in an attempt to assert French authority in the Spanish Netherlands. He fails to capture the city and retires to France.
The Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II moves the Imperial Court from Vienna to Prague.

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