.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
The signature of the engraver is found on the left and right border of the obverse: sp fc. It is the signature of Simon de Passe (Cologne c. 1595 - Copenhagen 6 May 1647). Simon was the son of engraver Crispijn de Passe. In his youth Simon contributed to various of his father's prints, but Simon soon began to specialize in portraits. He was established as an engraver in Utrecht from 1612 until 1615. From circa 1616 until 1622 he was probably working in London. Here, De Passe engraved numerous miniature portraits on silver, most of them members of the royal family. According to J.W. Frederiks these miniatures are executed with the greatest delicacy and technically unsurpassed. After a stay in Paris in 1623 and a short visit to Utrecht De Passe went to Copenhagen in 1624, where he signed his prints as Royal Engraver to Christian IV.
Literature:
J.W. Frederiks, Dutch Silver II, The Hague, 1958, p. 23, no. 70, pl.17, illustrated.
Jane Turner (Ed.), "Simon de Passe", in: The Dictionary of Art, New York, 1996
Literature:
J.W. Frederiks, Dutch Silver II, The Hague, 1958, p. 23, no. 70, pl.17, illustrated.
Jane Turner (Ed.), "Simon de Passe", in: The Dictionary of Art, New York, 1996