This large striking engraving is titled ‘The Great East Window of the Parish Church of St Margaret in Westminster’ and was produced in 1768 by British engraver James Basire (1730-1802). There were four generations of successful engravers in the Basire family, but James Basire I is most notable for his famous apprentice—William Blake, one of the most important visionary artists and poets in English history.

This large engraving details a stained glass window which was originally intended as a gift for Henry VII for his chapel at Westminster. The passage below the engraving states the design includes the figures of Henry VII and his Queen, Elizabeth of York. However, contemporary historians believe the figures to be Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

During the following centuries, the window was moved to different homes and survived both the Dissolution and the Civil Wars before it was purchased by the inhabitants of Saint Margaret Westminster in 1758. They paid the sum of 400 guineas. Shortly after it was installed, this engraving was commissioned.

Basire was a major contributor of engravings to the Society of Antiquaries' periodical Archaeologia, which is where this engraving was published.

The paper has some toning and light spots. There is also a water mark on the bottom corner and a fold line across the middle.

Mounted in a later gilt frame.

Frame measures 79cm x 58cm

Aperture 60cm x 39cm (slightly larger than size of print mark)

Please note the intricate straight black lines and the engraving being behind glass has caused the camera lens to distort some of the images slightly.