Artwork
William Whitaker, D.D., Master of Saint John's College, Cambridge
William Whitaker, D.D., Master of Saint John's College, Cambridge 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
This 1620 engraving, attributed to Magdalena van de Passe, portrays William Whitaker, D.D., Master of Saint John's College, Cambridge, in a solemn, detailed black-and-white representation.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, William Whitaker, is depicted in contemplative attire, holding an open book and wearing a ruffled collar and wide-brimmed hat, symbolizing his scholarly and religious stature as Master of Saint John's College.
Technique & Style
The engraving exhibits precise and detailed craftsmanship, characteristic of its time, with a plain background that focuses attention on the subject, accompanied by brief textual accolades at the bottom.
History & Provenance
Created in 1620, the engraving's artist, though not visibly credited on the piece, is attributed to Magdalena van de Passe based on stylistic analysis.
Context
This work reflects the early 17th-century practice of commemorating esteemed religious and academic figures through detailed, symbolic portraiture in print form.
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
