Artwork
William Camden
William Camden is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Gaywood. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1661 etching, titled William Camden, is a portrait created by Robert Gaywood. It depicts a dignified figure in ornate attire, conveying a sense of formality.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, identified as William Camden, is shown with a serious expression, dressed in clothing adorned with symbolic motifs (lions and fleur-de-lis). His right hand rests on a book or desk, suggesting an association with learning or authorship. A partially legible caption references "Joseph's Coat" and "Nobility Dative," hinting at themes of heritage or biblical allusion.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the work showcases Gaywood's use of line work to achieve detailed textures and patterns, particularly in the rendering of the subject's attire and the intricate coat of arms in the top-left banner.
History & Provenance
Created in 1661 by Robert Gaywood, specific details about the etching's history, ownership, or exhibition record are not provided in the available information.
Context
The etching reflects the formal portraiture conventions of its time, with the inclusion of symbols (lions, fleur-de-lis, and a coat of arms) indicating the subject's status or affiliations. The mention of "Joseph's Coat" may allude to biblical themes of lineage or distinction.
Legacy
The etching's impact or influence on subsequent artistic or historical discourse is not detailed in the provided information, focusing instead on its descriptive attributes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, First Dukeof Beaufort
Barbara Van Beck, the Bearded Lady
William Drummond of Hawthornden, Historian and Poet
John Playford, Musician and Music Publisher
Jeremiah Burroughes, Puritan Divine
Nicholas Claude Fabri de Peireso, French Antiquary
Catherine of Braganza
Guzman de Alfarache
