Artwork
Anne of Denmark
Anne of Denmark is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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About this work
Overview
The print is a circular engraving executed in 1621 by the Dutch engraver Simon van de Passe. It reproduces the portrait of Anne of Denmark as it appeared on a silver medal, presenting her bust against a dark field. The composition is bounded by a narrow rim, emphasizing the central figure.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Anne of Denmark, queen consort of James I of England, in a dignified pose. She is shown wearing a pearl necklace, a richly ornamented dress with lace and jewels, and her hair arranged in an updo. The serene expression and slight smile convey the courtly ideals of grace and authority associated with royal portraiture.
Technique & Style
Van de Passe translated the three‑dimensional relief of the original medal into a two‑dimensional engraving using fine lines and cross‑hatching to model facial features and fabric textures. The delicate shading creates a sense of depth, while the crisp rendering of jewelry and lace reflects the precision characteristic of early‑17th‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created as a print after a silver medal, the engraving circulated among collectors and admirers of royal imagery in the early Stuart period. Simon van de Passe, active in England after relocating from the Netherlands, was known for disseminating portrait medals through prints, thereby extending the reach of court portraiture beyond the original metal objects.
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