Artwork

John Speed

John Speed, by Salomon Savery, ink, 1630
John Speed, by Salomon Savery, ink, 1630

John Speed is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Salomon Savery. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print is an engraved portrait of John Speed, created by Salomon Savery in 1630. It is a black-and-white image with detailed depictions of the subject's attire and surroundings.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait shows John Speed, likely a scholar or mapmaker, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, with papers and documents on a nearby table. The Latin text below the image provides information about his life and work, supporting this interpretation.

Technique & Style

The print is an engraving, a technique involving the use of metal plates to produce detailed images. The level of detail in the portrait, including the textures of Speed's clothing and the objects on the table, is characteristic of this medium.

Artist & collection

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