Artwork

Sir Thomas Overbury

Sir Thomas Overbury, by Simon van de Passe, ink, 1621
Sir Thomas Overbury, by Simon van de Passe, ink, 1621

Sir Thomas Overbury 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

Sir Thomas Overbury is a 1621 engraving by Simon van de Passe, presenting a formal portrait of a man.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a 32-year-old man with a serious expression, dressed in dark attire with a ruffled collar, seated in a chair. The surrounding text includes a poem about marriage and the phrase 'Viva Effigies', suggesting a connection between the subject's likeness and his life or character.

Technique & Style

The engraving is characterized by sharp lines that define the subject's features, such as his beard and furrowed brow, against a plain background. The text is integrated into the border, framing the subject's head.

Context

This work exemplifies the engraving technique, where an artist etches lines into a metal plate to produce multiple prints.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Simon van de Passe

Artist

Simon van de Passe

Simon van de Passe (1595–1647) was an artist, born in Cologne.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.