This is Pieter de Jode the Younger's engraving of Charles I, King of England. The portrait, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the visual culture surrounding the English monarchy during a period of intense political and social upheaval. De Jode’s portrait captures Charles in his role as a powerful monarch, clad in armor and adorned with symbols of royalty. Yet, this image was created against a backdrop of growing tensions between the crown and Parliament, which ultimately led to the English Civil War. Charles's reign was marked by his belief in the divine right of kings, which clashed with the rising tide of parliamentary power and religious dissent. The portrait is a carefully constructed representation of power, designed to project an image of authority and legitimacy in a time of crisis. Consider how images like this one helped to shape public perception and bolster royal authority. What do you feel when you look at Charles? Do you feel powerful?