Portrait of Usher, Archbishop of Armagh Jacobus Houbraken (1698-1780)

The engraving presents a formal portrait of a man in ecclesiastical attire. He is positioned centrally within an oval frame, which itself is set against a backdrop of draped fabric suggesting solemnity and grandeur. The subjects gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of authority and perhaps introspection. His expression is serious, with lines etched around his eyes and mouth indicating age and experience.
The man wears a dark, voluminous robe indicative of his high office, layered over a broad, starched ruff collar. The details of the fabric’s texture are rendered with considerable skill through meticulous cross-hatching. A book rests open on a table at his right side; its presence signifies learning and scholarship, core tenets associated with religious leadership.
Below the central portrait, an allegorical scene unfolds. Figures in classical garb appear to present a shield bearing a heraldic design. This lower register introduces layers of meaning beyond the individual’s representation. The shield likely symbolizes authority or lineage, possibly connecting the subject to a broader historical or political context. The figures gestures suggest reverence and presentation, reinforcing the man’s elevated status.
A scroll unfurls at the upper left corner, bearing inscriptions in Latin script. This element underscores the subject’s erudition and connection to established intellectual traditions. The text itself is illegible without closer examination but contributes to an overall impression of learnedness and historical significance.
The engravings monochrome palette emphasizes tonal contrasts, creating a sense of depth and highlighting key features such as the face and the folds in the drapery. The artist’s use of light and shadow enhances the subject’s presence and lends gravitas to the composition. Overall, the work aims to portray an individual of considerable importance, emphasizing his intellectual standing, religious authority, and connection to established traditions through a combination of formal portraiture and allegorical symbolism.