King Henry VIII

by John Faber Sr, after Hans Holbein the Younger
mezzotint, 1712
10 3/8 in. x 8 in. (264 mm x 202 mm) plate size; 12 in. x 9 in. (305 mm x 230 mm) paper size
acquired, 1886
Reference Collection
NPG D9258

Sitterback to top

King Henry VIII (1491-1547), Reigned 1509-47. Sitter associated with 98 portraits.

Artistsback to top

John Faber Sr (circa 1660-1721), Draughtsman and engraver. Artist associated with 195 portraits.
Hans Holbein the Younger (1497 or 1498-1543), Painter, printmaker and designer; son of Hans Holbein the Elder. Artist associated with 308 portraits, Sitter associated with 25 portraits.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1712back to top

Current affairs

Whig MP, Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford is found guilty by Parliament of 'a high breach of trust and notorious corruption', over reserving army forage contracts for banker, Robert Mann, and imprisoned in the Tower. Walpole would later become the first British Prime Minister in all but name in 1721.

Art and science

Mock epic poem, The Rape of the Lock, by satirical poet Alexander Pope is first published.
Ironmonger Thomas Newcomen demonstrates his invention of the atmospheric steam engine in London.
Charles Boyle, Earl of Orrery, commissions a mechanical solar system model from mechanic John Rowley who names it an orrery.

International

Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford and John Robinson, bishop of Bristol, are appointed plenipotentiaries to the Utrecht peace congress. Foundations for peace between Britain and France, were based on preliminary agreements previously negotiated in London and Paris, the details of which were unbeknownst to the plenipotentiaries or Britain's allies.

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