Thomas Cockson

Thomas Cockson, or Coxon (fl. ca. 1569-before 1636-1641),[1] one of the earliest English engravers, left a large number of portraits engraved entirely with the graver[2], in a dry, neatly finished manner.

Contents

Engravings

Among his works are James I sitting in parliament, Princess Elizabeth, Charles I sitting in parliament, Charles Howard, earl of Nottingham, on horseback, George Clifford, earl of Cumberland, on horseback, Louis XIII, Marie de Médicis, Mathias I, emperor of Germany, Demetrius, Emperor of Russia, Concini, marquis d'Ancre (1617), Henri Bourbon, prince de Condé, Francis White, dean of Carlisle (1624), Samuel Daniel, the Court Poet (1609), John Taylor, the Water Poet (title-page to his poems, 1630), Thomas Coryat, and many others.

He also engraved the frontispiece to John Harington's translation of Orlando Furioso (1591), a plate called The Revells of Christendome (1609), a satirical print representing James I, Henry IV, of France Prince Maurice (Stadholder), and Christian IV, of Denmark, playing at cards and backgammon against the Pope and his ecclesiastical brethren,[3] some sea pieces with shipping, and (in 1636) a large folding plate, with explanatory letterpress, of various postures for musketeers and pikemen, invented by Lieutenant Clarke[4]; on either side of this remarkable print are the coats of arms of various captains of the time.

Cockson often signed his prints with his initials interlaced;[5] hence it is difficult to distinguish them from those of Thomas Cross or Thomas Cecil (1630), who each used a similar monogram. His better works are dated 1620-1630.

References

  1. ^ Engraving and etching: a handbook for the use of students and print collectors, p. 241, Friedrich Lippmann, Max Lehrs 1906
  2. ^ A biographical dictionary: containing an historical account of all the Engravers, from the earliest period of the art of engraving to the present time, and a short list of their most esteemed works. vol. I p. 208, Joseph Strutt - J. Davis, London 1785
  3. ^ A Descriptive Catalogue of Playing and Other Cards in the British Museum, p. 283, William Hughes Willshire - Adamant Media Corporation 2001 ISBN 1402172427
  4. ^ The Old Engravers of England in Their Relation to Contemporary Life and Art 1540 to 1800, p. 11, Malcolm C. Salaman 2005 ISBN 1417951192
  5. ^ Dictionary of National Biography vol. 11, p. 208, Leslie Stephen - Elder Smith 1887