Artwork of the Month – November 2016
1 November 2016
November's Artwork is a portrait of the barrister, judge and politician Sir Edward Coke (1552–1634), who was dismissed as Chief Justice of the King's Bench 400 years ago this month.
Coke is considered the finest legal mind of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods (1558–1625), and is one of the most influential law scholars in English history.
This portrait was published in the mid-18th century as part of the historian Thomas Birch's series 'The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain'. In the accompanying text, Birch describes Coke as having displayed 'great wisdom and prudence' that 'highly obliged both his own age and posterity'.
By the leading Dutch engraver Jacobus Houbraken (1698–1780), this image is based on a portrait by Cornelius Johnson (1593–1661). To this Houbraken added the architectural framework and symbols of Sir Edward Coke's career – a mace, a set of scales and a sword.
Further information
- View other works by Jacobus Houbraken in the Parliamentary Art Collection
- Find out more about this artwork at Art in Parliament
- Learn more about this period in English history at Living Heritage
Image: Detail of 'Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice', line engraving by Jacobus Houbraken, 1741 (WOA 502)