George Vertue (London, 1684 - 1756)
King John of England, 1733
Engraving, 27.9 x 18.3 cm (11 x 7 3/16 in.)
This is a black and white vertical etching of King John of England from the bust up. He is centered within a faux frame, created through cross-hatching. Behind him is a dark cross-hatched background. The top of the etching is covered with a cross-hatched draped curtain, which falls to touch the top of King John’s crown. The faux frame is decorated with continuous rows of leaves between which are circles of tiny flowers.
King John is turned slightly to our right, but looking at us. His curly light hair covers his ears and contrasts with his dark, straight eyebrows, and carefully trimmed mustache and short beard. A thin-rimmed crown with vertically rising three-petalled flowers rests horizontally on his head. He wears a deeply textured robe with a thin, light-colored, circular collar around his neck. Below King John’s portrait are three small figures. On our right, there is a figure in flowing robes that sits on a throne on a high pedestal. A crossed-keys insignia above a miniature building is on the front of the pedestal. To our left, a second figure in a long robe kneels on the ground in front of the pedestal with their arms outstretched. In the figure’s left hand is a crown, and in her right hand a rod, possibly a scepter. A third figure stands behind the kneeling figure, holding a staff topped by a cross. They look in the direction of the person on the pedestal. The Latin text, ”TO HAN NES REX ANGL DNS HIB” is written on the matting behind the figures. The etching sits in a gilded frame decorated with raised dots.
Yellow Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.