King Henry the Eighth and Anna Bullen

King Henry the Eighth and Anna Bullen is a compelling etching and engraving created by the celebrated English satirist and painter, William Hogarth, during the active period of his career, generally dated 1728-1780. As a prominent 18th-century master of graphic art, Hogarth utilized the detailed and controlled line quality afforded by the combination of etching and engraving, techniques essential for the widespread dissemination of his imagery.

While Hogarth is best known for his modern moral subjects that satirized contemporary Georgian society, this work turns its attention to high drama in royal history. The piece centers on the infamous relationship between the Tudor monarch, Henry VIII, and his second wife, Anne Boleyn (referred to by the period spelling, Anna Bullen), an alliance that led directly to the English Reformation. The selection of this historical subject matter underscores the pervasive cultural fascination with the issues surrounding powerful monarchs and their Queens, a recurrent theme in British historical prints.

This particular work serves both as a historical illustration and as an example of Hogarth’s versatility across different genres. His meticulous execution ensures the figures are rendered with dramatic weight, providing insight into the prevailing interpretation of these historical characters during the 18th century. As a critical example of British prints from the era, this impression of King Henry the Eighth and Anna Bullen is held within the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its date of creation, this work, along with many other historical prints by Hogarth, is commonly found within the public domain, ensuring its continued study by historians and art enthusiasts globally.