Who painted Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits?

Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits was painted by Michael Burghers in 1682.

Where can I see Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits?

Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits?

Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits

Michael Burghers , 1682

Roger Assham and Mary Surrounded by MedallianPortraits is an ink print by the Baroque artist Michael Burghers. It dates from 1682 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Encircling them are nine oval‑shaped medallions bearing the names of classical and royal figures such as Demosthenes and Maria Regina.

Michael Burghers’ 1682 engraving presents a couple, identified as Roger Assham and Mary, positioned within a doorway. Encircling them are nine oval‑shaped medallions bearing the names of classical and royal figures such as Demosthenes and Maria Regina. The composition blends contemporary portraiture with historic personae, creating a layered visual narrative that juxtaposes the living subjects with emblematic ancestors.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures are rendered in period attire; Mary holds an open book while Roger gestures toward it, suggesting a shared intellectual or moral focus. The surrounding medallions, depicting philosophers, monarchs, and a queen, function as symbolic references, perhaps indicating the couple’s aspirations toward learnedness, virtue, or alignment with esteemed lineage.

Technique & Style

Executed in fine‑line engraving, Burghers employs delicate cross‑hatching and stippling to model the figures and the textured backdrop, which resembles woven fabric. The precise incisions give the medallion portraits distinct facial expressions, ranging from solemn to contemplative, and create a subtle depth that separates the foreground couple from the ornamental periphery.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the late seventeenth‑century Dutch engraving tradition, a period when portrait prints served both commemorative and didactic purposes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Burghers, a prolific engraver active in England and the Netherlands, known for his detailed portrait series and book illustrations.