John Sym, Rector of Leigh and Essex
1637
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1637
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man with a beard and ruff collar. He’s holding a small object in his right hand, maybe a ring or coin. The background is plain, but the border is packed with swirly designs and Latin words. The Latin around him reads like titles or achievements—maybe this man held some kind of official role. The lines in his face and the way he’s dressed suggest this was made a long time ago. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists carved these detailed prints.
