Artwork
Sir Edward Coke
Sir Edward Coke 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.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1621 by the Dutch engraver Simon van de Passe, this print depicts Sir Edward Coke, a prominent English jurist. Executed as a fine copper engraving, the image presents Coke within an oval cartouche that is richly ornamented with lettering and decorative motifs, set against an unadorned background that directs attention to the sitter.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows Coke in contemporary dress, wearing a ruffled collar and a flowing cloak, his right hand grasping a small object, likely a symbol of his legal authority or a personal token. The composed pose and dignified attire convey his status as a learned figure in early‑17th‑century England.
Technique & Style
Van de Passe employs meticulous line work, using dense cross‑hatching to model flesh, fabric and the folds of the cloak. The fine, parallel strokes generate subtle gradations of light and shadow, producing a convincing sense of volume. Such precision aligns the work with the Renaissance engraving tradition, emphasizing realism and craftsmanship.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced shortly after Coke’s death in 1634, reflecting his contemporary reputation. Copies circulated among collectors and legal scholars, and the print eventually entered museum collections as an example of early modern portrait engraving. Its attribution to van de Passe is confirmed by the signature and stylistic hallmarks typical of his workshop.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Diego Sarmiento de Acuna, Count of Gondomar
M. de Cheval
Sir Henry Hobart
Count Gondamor
Albert VII, Archduke of Austria
Robert Sidney, First Earl of Leicester
Edward Cecil, Viscount Wimbledon
Diego Sarmiento de Acuna, Count of Gondomar
Sir Henry Hobart
Sir Henry Hobart- Sir Edward Coke
William Cecill, First Baron Burghley