Lettering [bottom half]

Simon de Passe

Associated Names
Simon van de Passe

Artist, German, c. 1595 - 1647

This is a drawing of text in an ornamental oval frame. The drawing features text written or printed in reverse, suggesting it may have been intended for a print or seal. The text is contained within an oval border decorated with an intricate leaf-like pattern. At the bottom center, there is a decorative element resembling an ornate flower or emblem. The background is a plain paper texture, framing the detailed, calligraphic style of the text inside the oval.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving pulled from silver medal engraved by the artist

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 5.2 × 4.1 cm (2 1/16 × 1 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9287.b

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 85

Associated Artworks

The image is a black and white engraving depicting a woman's head and upper torso. The woman is facing forward with a slightly turned head, looking at the viewer. Her features include a smooth complexion, pointed chin, narrow eyes, and a small mouth. She has a braided updo with pearls and a decorative headpiece. She wears a high-necked dress with ornate patterns, a ruffled collar, and a necklace with a pendant. The portrait is surrounded by an oval border with text. The background is plain.

Maria of Austria, Infanta of Spain [top half]

Simon van de Passe

1595

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

Q65025589

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