Who painted Lettering [bottom half]?

Lettering [bottom half] was painted by Simon van de Passe in 1621.

Where can I see Lettering [bottom half]?

Lettering [bottom half] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lettering [bottom half]?

Lettering [bottom half] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Lettering [bottom half]

Simon van de Passe , 1621

Lettering [bottom 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.

About this work

Overview

The image consists of a decorative border of stylized foliage framing a dense arrangement of typographic elements.

Lettering [bottom half] is a small, circular print executed by the Dutch engraver Simon van de Passe in 1621. The image consists of a decorative border of stylized foliage framing a dense arrangement of typographic elements. Bold, blocky capitals intermingle with delicate, swirling script, some of which are stacked or set at an angle, creating a lively yet orderly composition on a light background.

Technique & Style

Van de Passe first incised the design into a silver medal using a fine burin, then transferred the impression onto paper by pressing ink into the recessed lines. This intaglio process yields sharply defined, deep black strokes that contrast with the pale field. The ornamental lettering reflects the early‑17th‑century taste for elaborate, hand‑drawn typefaces and intricate border motifs common in Dutch printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The work functions primarily as a typographic study rather than a narrative scene. By juxtaposing large, straightforward letters with ornate, cursive forms, the piece showcases the range of contemporary scripts used in official documents, book titles, and heraldic devices, highlighting the engraver’s skill in rendering both robust and delicate lettering.

History & Provenance

Created in 1621, the engraving was derived from a silver medal originally struck by van de Passe, a member of the prominent Passe family of engravers active in the Dutch Republic. The print has survived in several collections, indicating that copies were distributed as examples of the artist’s lettering repertoire for patrons and fellow craftsmen.

Context

During the early 1600s, the Dutch Republic experienced a flourishing of print culture, and engravers like van de Passe were in demand for producing ornamental alphabets for publishers, printers, and governmental bodies. This piece exemplifies the period’s intersection of graphic design and fine art, serving both practical and aesthetic purposes within the burgeoning commercial and artistic networks of the time.