Shields of Henry IV and Maria de Medici [right half]

Simon de Passe

Associated Names
Simon van de Passe

Artist, German, c. 1595 - 1647

This is a drawing of a heraldic emblem. The emblem features a central shield divided into two halves: the left half showing a design resembling a wheel or a circular motif with beading, and the right half displaying three stylized fleur-de-lis symbols. The shield is set beneath an ornate crown and surrounded by a garland with a letter "H" and an elaborate border filled with floral patterns, scrollwork, and small circular designs. The overall composition is oval in shape, with intricate detailing demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship typical of heraldic or emblematic art.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving pulled from silver medal engraved by the artist

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 15.2 × 22.9 cm (6 × 9 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.9292.b

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 60

Associated Artworks

The image shows an engraved illustration of two figures depicted from the shoulders up, positioned in profile facing to the right. The man in the foreground has distinct facial features, including a pronounced nose, prominent cheekbones, and a pointed beard with a mustache. His hair is wavy and styled back from his face. He wears ornate clothing, including a high-collared garment adorned with intricate patterns and a sash draped over one shoulder. The woman in the background, partially obscured by the man, has a detailed hairstyle adorned with a decorative star embellishment, and her clothing features a high, lacey collar. Around them is a circular border with an inscription, and the background is a textured pattern with no additional elements.

Henry IV and Maria de Medici [left 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

Q65025598

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