Who painted Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander?

Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander was painted by Magdalena van de Passe in 1620.

Where can I see Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander?

Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander?

Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander

Magdalena van de Passe , 1620

Sir Richard Grenville, Naval Commander is an ink print by the Baroque artist Magdalena van de Passe. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1620, this black‑and‑white engraving depicts Sir Richard Grenville, a noted naval commander of the early seventeenth century.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1620, this black‑and‑white engraving depicts Sir Richard Grenville, a noted naval commander of the early seventeenth century. The image is rendered in a precise, linear style typical of early modern printmaking, and it is framed by a circular inscription that reads VIRTUS HARD around the upper rim.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows Grenville with a white beard and mustache, dressed in a dark jacket with a patterned surface and a ruffled collar, emphasizing his status and martial bearing. The Latin motto beneath the image, now faint, suggests a moral or heroic attribute associated with the commander.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the work relies on incised lines cut into a copper plate, producing fine, controlled strokes that convey texture in the clothing and facial features. The overall composition is restrained, focusing on clarity of form rather than elaborate ornamentation.

History & Provenance

The print is attributed to Magdalena van de Passe, a member of the prolific van de Passe family of engravers active in the Dutch Republic and England. Though the artist’s signature is not visible on this particular impression, the stylistic hallmarks align with her known output from the early 1620s.

Context

During the period, portrait engravings served both as commemorative images and as means of disseminating the likenesses of prominent figures across Europe. Grenville’s naval achievements made him a suitable subject for such a print, which would have circulated among patrons interested in military heroes.