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John Gerard, Herbalist

William Rogers

1597

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Portrait

Dominant colour

John Gerard, Herbalist is a 1597 ink by William Rogers, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Rogers
When & what style?: 1597 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a bearded man in a ruff collar and long coat. He’s holding a small plant or flower in his right hand. The background is mostly dark, with fancy scrollwork and Latin words around the edges. The Latin at the top reads *"Londinensis"* and *"Herbarius,"* hinting this man was linked to plants or medicine. His serious expression and detailed clothing suggest he was someone important in his time. If you like this style, check out engraving to see how artists carved these intricate lines.