Portrait of Sir Francis Drake, [c.1746]

A line engraving of Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596), by Jacobus Houbraken, c.1746.

Image shows a large rectangular black and white line engraving in which the oval portrait is surrounded by ornamental stonework set on a decorated plinth. The oval frame assumes two-thirds of the work and features a bust-length depiction of a white male in his 30s-40s positioned facing left but looking directly at the artist. He wears a dark doublet with a shiny metal breast-plate and decorative lace ruff. He has short dark hair and neat facial hair. The frame is adorned with nautical imagery, including a trident, ship’s mast, cannons and anchor. Another oval directly below depicts a naval battle scene, and a banner between the two features text that reads, ‘S FRANCIS DRAKE’. Small italic script in the bottom right corner reads: ‘J. Houbraken Sculp Amst.’

Content warning: slavery

Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540-1596) was born in Tavistock, Devon, his father being a tenant farmer for Francis Russell, Second Earl of Bedford (reputably Drake’s godfather and namesake), leaving with his family for Kent when he was around nine years old. He was later placed under the care of sea-captain William Hawkins, a relative based in Plymouth. Thus began his tutelage and apprenticeship in sea-faring, an iconic career he would continue until his death, when he asked to be dressed in his full armour and buried at sea in a lead-lined coffin. Known for his exploits and expeditions across the sea, Drake won the favour of Elizabeth I and was instrumental in the ongoing feud between England and Spain, most notably his role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. He is also cited as one of the first English slave traders, participating in several voyages in which his cousin, John Hawkins, was determined to break into the transatlantic slave trade, at that point monopolised by Spain and Portugal. Hawkin’s establishment of a slave-trading venture began Britain’s contribution to over 400 years of the slave trade in which over 12 million African people were seized and shipped across the Atlantic. Following these trips, Drake forewent slave-trading to focus on attacking the Spanish wherever he could. Statues of Drake celebrating his naval accomplishments and history still reside in Tavistock and Plymouth.

The artist, Jacob (Jacobus) Houbraken, was the leading portrait engraver in 18th Century Holland. This particular portrait was included in the 1747 publication The Heads of Illustrious Persons of Great Britain, Engraved by Mr Houbraken and by Mr Vertue, listed in the contents of page 47, in which biographical information states:

“He was low of stature, but of great vigour and strength of body. He was a man of remarkable piety, generally sparing the churches, wherever he came; eminent for his chastity, integrity, and virtue in all parts of life; and his conduct and bravery in his profession shew [sic] him to have been one of the greatest sea-captains of his age.”

Related Collections

Portraits