Charles I, King of England

Art Historical Context

This striking 1616 print by Simon van de Passe captures Charles, then Prince of Wales, in regal attire that foreshadows his later reign as King of England. Created when the future monarch was just sixteen, the portrait presents him in a richly detailed costume featuring a prominent ruff collar, feathered hat, and the insignia of the Order of the Garter. The inclusion of a coat of arms and crown emphasizes his royal lineage and status within the Stuart dynasty. As an engraving, this work exemplifies the growing importance of printmaking in early seventeenth-century Europe. Prints allowed royal...