Henri IV and Maria de Medici [top half]

Simon de Passe

Associated Names
Simon van de Passe

Artist, German, c. 1595 - 1647

The image depicts engraved portraits of two individuals, shown from the chest upwards in profile. Both figures are positioned facing right. The man in the foreground has a prominent nose and facial hair consisting of a mustache and beard. His hair is styled in waves and combed back. He is dressed in ornate clothing, featuring a high collared shirt with detailed patterns, and a cloak draped around his shoulders. He wears a decorative necklace with a star-shaped pendant. The woman in the background, positioned slightly to the right of and partially behind the man, has curly hair adorned with a feathered headpiece. She wears a high-collared garment that is patterned, similar to the man's attire. The overall background is plain, focusing attention on the figures and the intricate detailing of their clothing and adornments. There is text encircling the image in a reversed fashion, which is part of the design.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving pulled from silver medal engraved by the artist

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    plate: 6.2 × 5.2 cm (2 7/16 × 2 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9289.a

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 60

Associated Artworks

This is a drawing of an elaborate heraldic coat of arms. The drawing features a central emblem enclosed within an oval frame. At the top, there is a crowned shield above a pair of shields. The left shield displays a pattern that resembles a wheel or labyrinthine design. The right shield contains a trio of fleur-de-lis. Below the central shields is a decorative motif that includes a crown above an "H" intertwined with a cross-like symbol, all encircled by laurel branches. The outer oval border is filled with detailed floral and leafy patterns, with small shields and emblems interspersed.

Shields of Henry IV and Maria de Medici [bottom 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

Q65025593

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