A detailed 1633 engraving by Crispijn van de Passe (II) depicting Jacob Boonen, the Archbishop of Mechelen, in formal clerical attire.

This engraving by Crispijn van de Passe (II) depicts Jacob Boonen, the Archbishop of Mechelen, in a formal oval frame. The work is dated 1633, a period when the Van de Passe family operated a prolific print workshop in the Netherlands. The composition follows the conventions of seventeenth-century ecclesiastical portraiture, presenting the subject in clerical attire with a pectoral cross held in his hand.

The artist employs precise hatching and cross-hatching techniques to define the textures of the subject's robes and the heavy drapery behind him. The oval frame is inscribed with the subject's name, while the lower section features a coat of arms and a Latin inscription detailing Boonen's titles and status. The attention to detail in the facial features, particularly the lines around the eyes and the texture of the beard, demonstrates the technical proficiency of the Van de Passe workshop in reproducing the likeness of high-ranking officials for a wider audience.

Crispijn van de Passe (II) was part of a dynasty of engravers who were instrumental in the dissemination of portraiture and mythological subjects across Europe. This print is a clear example of the formal, structured approach to portraiture common in the Dutch Golden Age. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of volume, while the inclusion of heraldic elements provides context regarding the subject's social and religious standing. The print remains a record of the visual culture of the period, reflecting the methods used to document figures of authority through the medium of copperplate engraving.