394 - P. BASAN (*1723) after HOLBEIN (*1497), King Edward VI (1537–1553), ca. 1770, copper engraving

P. BASAN (*1723) after HOLBEIN (*1497), King Edward VI (1537–1553), ca. 1770, copper engraving Pierre François Basan (1723, Paris – 1797, ibid.) after Hans Holbein the Younger (1497, Augsburg – 1543, London): Portrait of King Edward VI, England, Tudor dynasty (1537, Hampton Court Palace – 1553, Greenwich), c. 1770, copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving on laid paper Inscription: Signed in the lower center of the printing plate: "Holbein pinx. Basan sculp.". Date: c. 1770 Description: Portrait medallion of King Edward VI of England. Person: King Edward VI, England, Tudor dynasty (1537 Hampton Court Palace – 1553 Greenwich) Edward was the first English king to receive a Protestant education. His reign was marked by religious reforms that, for the first time, set the Anglican Church on a course that was close to the Protestant confession in terms of content. His father, Henry VIII, had severed the English Church’s ties with Rome but had largely retained Catholic doctrine. Under Edward, services in English became mandatory, the Holy Mass was banned, priestly celibacy was abolished, and the Book of Common Prayer was introduced, which is still used today in a modified form. The architect of the reforms was Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Edward’s reign was simultaneously plagued by economic problems and rebellions (1549); a costly war with Scotland also ended in military retreat. After Edward became mortally ill in February 1553, he and his council attempted to prevent England’s return to Catholicism by altering the line of succession. His half-sisters Mary and Elizabeth were excluded from the line of succession, and his cousin Jane Grey was named heir instead. However, Jane was deposed after only nine days, and Mary ascended the throne, reversing Edward’s Protestant reforms. It was not until the reign of Elizabeth that these reforms once again became the basis for religious regulation. Keywords: King, England, 18th century, Baroque, Portraits, France, Size: Laid paper: 21.0 cm x 16.5 cm (8.3 x 6.5 in), Plate: 14.8 cm x 10.8 cm (5.8 x 4.3 in) Condition: Good condition. Slightly creased, otherwise perfect.