Magdalena van de Passe Willem de Passe

The printmakers Magdalena van de Passe and Willem de Passe were active around the year 1620. Known for their production of historical and devotional prints, their artistic collaboration resulted in a distinctive body of engraved work, fifteen examples of which are documented in major museum holdings.

The prints attributed to the Passe studio primarily focus on detailed portraiture, often depicting significant ecclesiastical and aristocratic figures of the period. Notable examples held in collections include Alexander Nowell, Dean of Saint Paul's, Christopher Carleill, David Whitehead, D.D., Chaplain to Anne Boleyn, and the historical figure documented in the print, Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick.

These historical prints are preserved in prominent institutions, establishing their continuing artistic relevance. The work of Magdalena van de Passe and Willem de Passe is represented in collections, including the National Gallery of Art. The accessibility of these museum-quality engravings often permits the creation of high-quality prints derived from the original plates, many of which now reside in the public domain.