Portret van Karel I, koning van Engeland c. 1649 - 1652

This is an engraving of Charles I, King of England, an anonymous work currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The oval composition immediately draws the eye to the monarch’s figure, framed by an inscription that emphasizes his royal authority. The contrasting textures, achieved through intricate line work, offer a visually complex experience. Notice how the artist uses varied densities of lines to render depth and shadow, creating a sense of volume in the King’s face and clothing. This play of light and dark not only defines the form but also lends a certain psychological depth to the portrait. The structure of the composition, with the King’s gaze directed slightly off-center, invites a reading that goes beyond mere representation. It seems to subtly destabilize the absolute authority it initially proclaims. This tension between presentation and a more nuanced representation opens up a space for questioning fixed meanings and power structures.