Martin Billingsley

1623

William Hole

Associated Names
William Hole

Artist, English, active 1607 - 1624

The image shows an engraved portrait of a man depicted from the waist up, seated with one shoulder angled slightly forward. His face is turned towards the viewer, displaying pronounced facial features, including a pointed mustache and a tuft of hair styled upwards in the front. The man has short hair surrounding the tuft and appears to be in a formal setting. His attire includes a doublet typical of the early 17th century, featuring a high, elaborate lace collar, and he holds a quill pen delicately poised in one hand against a small writing desk. Surrounding the portrait is a decorative border with Latin text, and beneath it, there is a section containing printed English text that praises the art of writing. The intricate background consists of fine lines and decorative scrollwork that frame the central image, creating the impression of a formal and historically styled portrait.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 17.9 × 13 cm (7 1/16 × 5 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1951.11.287


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Unidentified private collector ([r?]V , not in Lugt).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, 1951.

Associated Names

Wikidata ID

Q65368677

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