The subject of this print is Robert Devereux, third Earl of Essex (1591-1646)

Essex's father, the 2nd Earl, had been a favourite of Elizabeth I, but he was executed for treason in 1601. The family honours were restored to the 3rd Earl in 1604. He was an opponent of Charles I and became General of the Parliamentary army in 1642. He died without issue in 1646 and the earldom was extinct until re-created in 1661.

Numerous variations of this print exist. There is a portrait of Robert Devereux by an unknown artist in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG L115).