Who painted David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn?

David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn was painted by Magdalena van de Passe in 1620.

Where can I see David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn?

David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn?

David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn?

Museum-quality prints of David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn

Magdalena van de Passe , 1620

David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn is an ink print by the Baroque artist Magdalena van de Passe. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition emphasizes his solemn demeanor and scholarly attire, offering a concise visual record of a notable religious figure from early Tudor England.

Magdalena van de Passe’s 1620 engraving portrays David Whitehead, D.D., who served as chaplain to Anne Boleyn. Executed as a print, the image presents Whitehead seated at a table, his hands clasped, against a dark, subtly textured background. The composition emphasizes his solemn demeanor and scholarly attire, offering a concise visual record of a notable religious figure from early Tudor England.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as David Whitehead, appears in a contemplative pose, his gaze directed downward and his expression restrained. As a chaplain to Anne Boleyn, his representation underscores the intellectual and spiritual roles occupied by clergy within the Tudor court, hinting at the personal gravity of his service during a turbulent period.

Technique & Style

Van de Passe employs fine cross‑hatching to render the fur‑trimmed coat, beard, and facial features, creating a nuanced play of light and shadow. The intricate line work produces a sense of depth, while the dark, fabric‑like background recedes, focusing attention on the subject’s face and hands. The engraving exemplifies early‑17th‑century printmaking precision.

History & Provenance

Created in 1620, the print originates from the workshop of the van de Passe family, renowned for portrait engravings. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has circulated among collections of Tudor portraiture and is cited in catalogues of early modern English prints.

Context

The portrait belongs to a broader tradition of commemorating court officials through engraved likenesses, a practice that expanded with the rise of print culture. Whitehead’s association with Anne Boleyn situates the image within the religious and political upheavals that preceded the English Reformation.