Shield of James I

Simon de Passe

Associated Names
Simon van de Passe

Artist, German, c. 1595 - 1647

This is a drawing of a coat of arms. The drawing depicts an ornate coat of arms bordered by a circular band with Latin inscriptions. At the center, there is an elaborate shield divided into four parts, each containing different heraldic symbols, including a lion and harp. Above the shield is an intricately detailed crown with a small lion standing on top. On either side of the shield stand two large heraldic animals: a lion on the right, wearing a crown, and an unidentified animal on the left resembling a unicorn. Decorative flourishes add to the grandiose feel of the design. The drawing is likely a representation of royal or noble heraldry.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving pulled from silver medal engraved by the artist

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 5.7 × 4.8 cm (2 1/4 × 1 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9246

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 68, State i/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

W. B. Dukes [d. 1942], London (L.2757a); (Sotheby, London, sale July 8, 1942, no. 112); Hermann Marx [d. 1948], Surrey (L.2816a); (Sotheby, London, sale May 24, 1948, no. 165); Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891 - 1979], Philadelphia (L.1932d); gift to NGA, 1964. [1]
[1] This print comes from a large collection of “historical portrait” prints purchased by Rosenwald in 1948. A small subset of this collection—including this print—was sent at an unknown date to the NGA, where it was not immediately accessioned. When NGA registrars came upon this group in 1964, they and Rosenwald erroneously believed that the works had accidentally been omitted from the donor’s 1943 gift to the museum. As a result, the sheets were assigned retroactive accession numbers corresponding with that date. For related correspondence, see NGA curatorial file for objects 1943.3.9230-9317.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

Wikidata ID

Q65025543

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