Artwork
Elizabeth, Queen of England [right half]
![Elizabeth, Queen of England [right half], by Simon van de Passe, ink, 1621](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/simon-van-de-passe--elizabeth-queen-of-england-right-half--c9ae54c2d0f8ade2-w1024.webp)
Elizabeth, Queen of England [right half] 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. This 1621 print presents a half‑length portrait of Elizabeth I, rendered in black and white.
About this work
Overview
This 1621 print presents a half‑length portrait of Elizabeth I, rendered in black and white. The figure is shown with tightly curled hair, a high, stiff collar and a prominent ruff, complemented by a beaded necklace. The composition is set against an unadorned background, directing attention to the queen’s composed expression and the intricate detailing of her attire.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts the reigning monarch of England, Elizabeth I, emphasizing her regal bearing through a calm facial expression and sumptuous dress. The inclusion of the elaborate ruff and jeweled necklace signals her status and the wealth of the Tudor court, while the plain backdrop reinforces a focus on her personal authority rather than narrative context.
Technique & Style
Fine, closely spaced lines create subtle gradations of tone, modeling the folds of fabric and the texture of hair.
Simon van de Passe produced the image by engraving a silver medal and then pulling a print from the metal plate. Fine, closely spaced lines create subtle gradations of tone, modeling the folds of fabric and the texture of hair. The method relies on incised lines rather than brushwork, allowing a high degree of precision and a crisp, linear quality typical of early 17th‑century portrait engravings.
History & Provenance
The print originates from a medal designed by van de Passe himself, a noted Dutch engraver active in England during the early Stuart period. Created in 1621, it reflects the continued circulation of Elizabeth’s image after her death. Surviving impressions are held in several institutional collections, documenting the spread of her iconography through printed media.
Artist & collection
