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Primary sourcePainting1668

Thomas Hobbes, Line Engraving by William Faithorne

William Faithorne · 1668

An engraved oval portrait of Thomas Hobbes made in 1668, later used in editions of his Latin works.

This engraving, made during Hobbes's lifetime, was used in editions of his collected Latin works.

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Oval line engraving portrait of an older man with long wavy hair, white collar, and dark coat, within a decorative oval frame with Latin inscriptions. Caption below reads Thomas Hobbes Malmesburiensis, Aet. suae 76. Signed W. Faithorne fecit.
William Faithorne, Thomas Hobbes, line engraving, 1668.

About this source

What it is

This is a line engraving of Thomas Hobbes made by William Faithorne in 1668. It shows Hobbes as an older man with long wavy hair and a white collar, set within a decorative oval frame with Latin inscriptions, including his age at the time, 76.

Why it matters

This engraving was used in printed editions of Hobbes's collected Latin works, showing how his image was tied directly to the spread of his writing. It reflects how portraits of philosophers were used almost like branding for their books in the 17th century.

Look closer

  • Why might publishers include a portrait like this in a book of philosophy?
  • What does the decorative frame and Latin text suggest about the audience for this image?
  • How does this portrait compare with other images of Hobbes made around the same time?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Hobbes on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Engraved title page of Hobbes's Leviathan: a giant crowned figure made of many tiny people holds a sword and crozier over a landscape of hills and a city. Below, a central banner bears the title and author's name, flanked by vignettes of castle, church, crown, mitre, cannon, weapons, battle, and a council.Book

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Leviathan

Thomas Hobbes · 1651

Engraved frontispiece of the 1642 Paris edition of Hobbes's De Cive. Top panel shows a crowded scene of figures in clouds and a fiery landscape with a winged angel and a group of people. Bottom panel has a central banner titled Elementorum Philosophiae Sectio Tertia De Cive with Latin text, flanked by a crowned female figure holding scales labeled Imperium and a figure with a bow and spear labeled Libertas, with a landscape and the word Religio across the middle.Book

Primary source

De Cive

Thomas Hobbes · 1642

Line engraving portrait of Thomas Hobbes, a man with long wavy hair, a large white collar, and dark robes, shown in an oval frame inscribed with his name in Latin. Below is a Latin inscription and the printer's line 'London, Printed for Will. Crooke'.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Thomas Hobbes, Line Engraving

Book

Primary source

The Elements of Law

Thomas Hobbes · 1640

Engraved title page reading 'The Workes of Homer Engl: by T: Hobbes', with a bust of Homer above, two armoured warriors with spears flanking the title, and an oval portrait of Hobbes below. Imprint reads London, printed for W. Crooke, 1677.Artifact

Secondary source

Title Page of The Workes of Homer, Translated by Thomas Hobbes

1677

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