Sir Walter Raleigh

Simon de Passe

National Gallery of Art

The image shows an engraved portrait of a man. His upper body is shown seated and facing slightly to the right. He has a high forehead, arched eyebrows, deep-set eyes, a pronounced mustache, and a neatly groomed goatee. His light, wavy hair is combed back. He wears a period-appropriate outfit with a ruffled lace collar and a detailed doublet with buttons and embroidery. In his right hand, he holds a staff or baton, and there is a book near his left arm. The background features an oval with text around the man's bust and intricate scrollwork, including a coat of arms and Latin inscriptions, in the border.