1632
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Rev. Robert Bolton is a 1632 ink by John Payne, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a full beard and serious expression. His face is framed by an ornate arch with swirling scrolls and a wreath of leaves and grapes at the bottom. The background is plain, putting all focus on his face and the detailed border around it. The tiny lines and shading in the print create depth, making the beard and collar look almost three-dimensional. The Latin text below the image isn’t needed to read—it’s just decorative framing. Want to see how this technique works? Look up engraving.
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.
See the richer artist page
