Joseph Hall, Bishop of Exeter and Norwich

Art Historical Context

This engraving by John Payne, created in 1628, portrays Joseph Hall during his tenure as Bishop of Exeter, a role he held before later serving at Norwich. The work captures a prominent English churchman whose writings on theology and morality were widely read in the early seventeenth century. As a printed portrait, it reflects the growing demand for accessible images of notable figures among scholars, clergy, and collectors. Engraving was a favored medium at the time for its ability to produce fine detail and multiple impressions from a single copper plate. Payne’s precise line work would have allowed the likeness to circulate beyond the original drawing or painting, making Hall’s image available to a broader audience. Measuring just 21 by 13.8 centimeters, the sheet’s modest size suited it for inclusion in books or personal print collections. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection, the print offers a window into both artistic practice and the visual culture of Stuart England. Its survival highlights the enduring value of early engraved portraits as historical documents.

About the Artist

John Payne · 1600–1640

John Payne is an artist whose biographical details remain difficult to establish with certainty, partly because the name is common and several artists of that name were active in different periods and countries. The works attributed to this John Payne suggest engagement with printmaking or illustration traditions, but without confirmed dates, nationality, or documented training, a precise account ...