Portrait of Arthur Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells - Paul de Zetter

A 17th-century engraving by Paul de Zetter depicting Arthur Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells, framed by an ornate cartouche with botanical and animal motifs.

This engraving by Paul de Zetter depicts Arthur Lake, who served as the Bishop of Bath and Wells during the early 17th century. The portrait follows the conventions of formal ecclesiastical iconography, presenting the subject in a bust-length format. Lake is shown with a trimmed beard and a ruff, wearing the traditional clerical attire of the period. He holds a small book, a common attribute in portraits of clergy to signify theological learning and devotion.

The composition is framed by an oval border, which is integrated into a larger decorative cartouche. This surrounding structure features botanical motifs, insects, and two squirrels positioned at the base. The inclusion of these natural elements adds a layer of symbolic detail, often found in prints of this era to represent the order of the natural world under divine providence. The Latin inscription encircling the portrait identifies the subject and his ecclesiastical office, while the cartouche at the bottom contains a further Latin verse praising his character and intellect.

Technically, the work demonstrates the precision of 17th-century copperplate engraving. De Zetter uses a variety of line weights to define the textures of the subject's clothing, the softness of the ruff, and the contours of the face. The shading is achieved through cross-hatching, which creates a sense of volume and depth within the oval frame. The print is a characteristic example of the portraiture produced for books and broadsides in the Dutch Republic, where such engravings were frequently used to document public figures and church leaders. The clarity of the lines and the balanced arrangement of the decorative border reflect the high standards of printmaking during this period.