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Houbraken, Jacob
Catherine Howard, Queen of Henry VIII
Around 1740
Catherine Howard (around 1518–1542) was the fifth queen of Henry VIII and the second to be beheaded. Her infamous death is visually referenced in a similar manner to that of Anne Boleyn (in an engraving Houbraken produced in 1738) as a putto sits beside the Queen’s axed head at the bottom foreground. This detail offers a shocking contrast to the imperial image of Queen Howard, as she poses in royal attire, wears a selection of fine jewelry and calmly looks at the viewer.
 
Artist
Houbraken, Jacob
Artist Dates
Dordrecht, Netherlands 1698–Amsterdam, Netherlands 1780
Title
Catherine Howard, Queen of Henry VIII
Date
Around 1740
Category
European Historical
Medium
Engraving on paper
Dimensions
height / width: 52.90 x 35.50 cm; 20.83 x 13.98 in.
Credit Line
Bequest of Adam Shortt 1969
Accession Number
12-047.064

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