Henry Prince of Wales, Son of King James I 1738

Curator: This print by Jacobus Houbraken depicts Henry, Prince of Wales, son of King James I. The piece measures about 37 by 23 centimeters and is currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial impression is one of ornate power. The details are quite striking, but there's also a definite sense of melancholy weighing down the portrait. Curator: The Medusa head directly beneath the portrait and the battle scene below seem to symbolize the burdens of leadership and perhaps the ever-present threat of conflict. Editor: Right, and the surrounding frame is a symbolic armor protecting the subject, while the weapons at the base suggest the ever-readiness for defense of the crown. It underscores the constant state of political tension in which royal figures existed. Curator: It’s fascinating how the symbols accumulate, layering the image with meaning. It also speaks to the symbolic importance placed on royalty, where even a portrait becomes a carefully constructed message. Editor: Exactly. This image serves as a reminder of the weight of expectation on the monarchy and the political theater of portraiture.