Charles I and Henrietta Maria Facing to the Left [right half]

Art Historical Context

This delicate engraving, in the style of Dutch master Simon van de Passe, the right half of a featuring King Charles I of England and his queen, Henrietta Maria, facing left. Created between 1551 and 1600 as a print pulled from a silver, it measures just 2.4 cm in diameter—a tiny gem from the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection in the Prints department. Van de Passe, renowned for his intricate portrait engravings of European royalty, influenced this work's fine lines and detailed rendering, showcasing the elegance of early modern medal-making techniques. Historically, this piece reflects the Stuart court's fascination with commemorative medals, which served as intimate tokens of power and alliance. Charles I and Henrietta Maria's union symbolized political and cultural ties between England and France, amid the turbulent lead-up to the English Civil War. The engraving process—transferring the medal's design onto paper—preserved the medal's raised relief in two dimensions, making royal imagery accessible beyond metal casts. Its miniature scale invites close inspection, revealing the artistry of engraving on silver: precise incisions that hold ink for printing, blending sculpture and printmaking. A testament to 16th- and 17th-century technical innovation, it offers visitors a window into how monarchs projected divinity and devotion through portable, personal art.