Artwork
Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The print is a black‑and‑white engraving executed in 1621 by the Dutch‑born engraver Simon van de Passe. It reproduces a portrait originally struck on a silver medal, presenting the figure of Anne of Denmark in a formal, courtly pose.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts Anne of Denmark, queen consort of James I of England, rendered with a rounded face, soft facial features, and a composed expression. She is shown wearing a high‑necked gown with puffed sleeves, a pearl necklace, and her hair gathered back, conveying the dignified elegance expected of a royal portrait.
Technique & Style
Van de Passe translated the three‑dimensional medal into a two‑dimensional print by incising lines into a copper plate, a process that captures the fine hatching and minute decorative border surrounding the portrait. The surrounding frame imitates the medal’s intricate relief work, using delicate lines to suggest texture and depth.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced shortly after the original medal’s creation, serving as a means to disseminate the queen’s likeness beyond the limited circulation of metal medals. As a work by a noted early‑17th‑century printmaker, it has been catalogued among van de Passe’s portrait series and appears in several European collections of early modern prints.
Artist & collection
