Sidney, Earl of Godolphin, Lord High Treasurer 1735 - 1745

Jacob Houbraken made this print of Sidney, Earl of Godolphin using engraving. Produced during the long eighteenth century, this print provides a fascinating window into the political theater of Britain. It depicts Godolphin, a key figure in early British politics, framed within a classicizing oval. Note the symbols of office below: the scales, money bags, and staff, all speaking to Godolphin's role as Lord High Treasurer. The image operates within a well-established visual language of power and prestige. But it is important to remember that images like these were not simply neutral records. They actively shaped public perception and contributed to the construction of political identities. By studying such images, we gain insights into the social conditions that shaped artistic production, and the role of art in reinforcing or challenging existing power structures. These prints prompt us to consider the politics of imagery and the public role of art in the eighteenth century.