Artwork
William Perkins, Puritan Divine
William Perkins, Puritan Divine 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.
About this work
Overview
Magdalena van de Passe's 1620 engraving, William Perkins, Puritan Divine, is a black-and-white portrait of a bearded man, identified as a prominent figure in Christian theology. The subject is depicted in a serious demeanor, wearing a dark, ruffled collar and holding an open book.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving portrays William Perkins, a revered Puritan divine, emphasizing his scholarly and religious authority through the open book and dignified attire. The inscription beneath his name highlights his role as a defender of Christian beliefs, underscoring the subject's significance in theological circles.
Technique & Style
The engraving showcases van de Passe's use of intricate, repetitive markings to achieve detailed shading and texture, evident in the subject's facial lines, clothing, and the open book. This technique is characteristic of the engraving process, where designs are carved into metal plates for printing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1620 by Magdalena van de Passe, the engraving's provenance is not detailed here, but its production reflects the artist's contribution to the dissemination of Puritan leaders' images during this period.
Context
This work belongs to a tradition of portrait engravings of religious and intellectual figures in early 17th-century Europe, serving to promote the subjects' reputations and ideas among a broader audience.
Artist & collection
Walter Devereux, First Earl of Essex
Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex
Alexander Nowell, Dean of Saint Paul's
Elizabeth's Tomb
Thomas Holland, Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, and Rector of Exeter College
Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper
Nicholas Ridley, Bishop of London, Protestant Martyr
Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick
