Coats of Arms with Corner Portraits of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary

Art Historical Context

This engraving from the English 16th century presents a striking heraldic composition featuring coats of arms alongside corner portraits of Tudor monarchs Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary. Created through the intaglio technique of engraving on a sheet measuring 33.5 by 44 centimeters, print exemplifies how this medium allowed for detailed, reproducible imagery that could circulate among nobility and scholars. The arrangement blends royal lineage with symbolic heraldry, reflecting the era's emphasis on dynastic legitimacy. Such works held cultural importance during the transition fro...