Who painted Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury?

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury was painted by Willem de Passe in 1620.

Where can I see Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury?

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury?

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury

Willem de Passe , 1620

Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury is an ink print by the Baroque artist Willem de Passe. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Willem de Passe’s 1620 engraving presents Edmund Grindal, who served as Archbishop of Canterbury, in a formal, monochrome portrait. The image isolates the cleric against an unadorned background, emphasizing his facial features and attire. A Latin inscription beneath the figure reads “Edmundus Grindalvs,” identifying the subject in the period’s customary script.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts Grindal as an elderly man with a full beard and curled hair, dressed in a dark ecclesiastical robe with a high, ruffled collar. His direct gaze and sober expression convey the gravitas associated with his high office and the religious authority he wielded during the turbulent Reformation era.

Technique & Style

De Passe employs the fine line work characteristic of early 17th‑century engraving, using dense cross‑hatching to model the texture of the beard, hair, and fabric. The subtle gradations of tone are achieved through meticulous, parallel strokes, creating depth without any tonal washes, a hallmark of the printmaker’s precise hand.

History & Provenance

Created in 1620, the print was likely intended for distribution among patrons and institutions interested in ecclesiastical portraiture. Copies of the engraving have appeared in several early modern collections of English religious figures, indicating its role as a visual record of Grindal’s tenure as archbishop.

Context

The work belongs to a broader tradition of engraved portraits that circulated in the early Stuart period, serving both documentary and commemorative functions. Such prints allowed the likenesses of prominent clerics to reach a wider audience beyond painted portraits, reinforcing their public presence in a largely literate society.