Henry de Vere, Eighteenth Earl of Oxford

John Payne

National Gallery of Art

This is an engraving of a man shown from the waist up in a three-quarter view. He is turned slightly to his left, looking at the viewer with a slight smile. The man has a pointed nose, sharp chin, well-groomed mustache, curly hair flowing from under a wide-brimmed hat with a feather, and ornate clothing typical of the Renaissance or Baroque periods. He wears a doublet with intricate details, a sash, puffed sleeves, and a prominent ruffled collar with lace layers. The man holds a cane over his shoulder in his right hand. The background consists of fine horizontal lines creating a textured appearance contrasting the detailed depiction of the man.