Portret van Karel II, koning van Engeland en zijn vrouw Catharina van Braganza 1662 - 1698

This is Frederick Hendrick van den Hove’s engraving of King Charles II of England and his wife, Catherine of Braganza. The work provides a glimpse into the intricate dance between power, gender, and cultural identity in 17th-century England. The portraits of Charles and Catherine are surrounded by symbols of power and status; however, Catherine’s Portuguese heritage marked her as an outsider within the English court. As a Catholic queen in a predominantly Protestant nation, Catherine faced prejudice and scrutiny. Her identity was constantly negotiated and questioned in the public sphere. Despite these challenges, Catherine's presence brought new cultural influences to the English court, from artistic patronage to culinary practices. Here, we see how the personal and political dimensions of identity intersect, shaping the narratives of those in power and challenging traditional representations of royalty.