Portret van koning Karel II van Engeland 1674

This is an engraving of King Charles II of England. It’s undated and the artist is anonymous, but it resides here in the Rijksmuseum. Images of royalty were carefully controlled in 17th-century Europe. They were used to project an image of power and legitimacy, especially in England, which had experienced civil war and the execution of Charles's father. Here, the artist uses visual codes such as armor to evoke military strength, and the lace collar and flowing hair denote wealth and privilege. The inscription reinforces Charles's status as king. Engravings like this one circulated widely, helping to shape public perceptions of the monarchy. By studying such images, along with other historical sources, we can gain insight into the complex relationship between art, power, and society in early modern Europe.