Sir Francis Bacon

Sir Francis Bacon

Simon van de Passe

1621

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man in a fur-lined robe and a wide-brimmed hat. His face is wrinkled, with a short beard and mustache. Behind him is a fancy coat of arms with a shield, crown, and two small figures holding it. The edges of the picture are decorated with swirls and letters. The text at the bottom names the man as "The right Hon. Francis Lo. Verulam," which hints he was someone important. The style looks old, with careful lines and shading to show his clothes and face. Want to know more? Check out engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

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