Catherine of Aragon, Queen of King Henry VIII 1744

Curator: This is Jacobus Houbraken’s engraving of Catherine of Aragon, Queen of King Henry VIII, now residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The stark monochrome palette gives it a certain gravity. The composition, with its portrait bust and elaborate cartouche, feels incredibly formal, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Absolutely, the piece speaks volumes about the materials and processes employed in printmaking at the time. We can also consider the social context: engravings like these democratized portraiture. Editor: Note how her gaze is averted, contemplative. And see how Houbraken uses line and shadow to convey the texture of her clothing and the delicate features of her face. Curator: And below, within the ornate framework, a smaller scene unfolds, alluding to the events surrounding her life and Henry's court; the labor of the artist to serve the demands of patronage. Editor: A fascinating study in form and function. Curator: Indeed, a glimpse into the means of visual production of the era.