Henry Harris as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, engraved as Joseph Harris
- Artist: Edward Harding
- Artist: E. & S. Harding
- Artist: Silvester (Sylvester) Harding
- Date: 1793
- Medium: stipple
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: Henry Harris, Joseph Harris
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is a stipple engraving from 1793, created by Edward Harding and published by E. & S. Harding after Silvester Hardening. The work shows the actor Henry Harris in costume as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey – an image that was also rendered under the name Joseph Harris. Look at how the stippling creates soft shading across the face and fabric, giving depth without heavy lines. Harding, who was librarian to Queen Charlotte, produced around 190 portraits; this print is one of those early nineteenth‑century portraits of actors in character.
See it in person
Henry Harris as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, engraved as Joseph Harris is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
