1627
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
James Ley, First Earl of Marlborough is a 1627 ink by John Payne, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a serious-looking man with a thick beard and ruffled collar. His hair is short and curly, and he’s staring straight ahead with a firm expression. The background is plain, focusing all attention on his face and the detailed folds of his clothing. The text below says he’s a knight and a high-ranking judge, which makes sense for someone dressed so formally. The artist used tiny lines to create shadows and texture—this is called cross-hatching. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists build depth with just lines.
John Payne (1607–1647) was an English engraver, who was one of the earliest exponents of the art of engraving in England. His best work was the finest produced by a native-born engraver working during the reign of Charles I.
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