Portret van Karel II van Engeland 1755

This is Pierre François Basan's portrait of Charles II of England, an engraving, that plays with the conventions of royal portraiture. The composition is neatly structured. An oval frame contains Charles, cutting him off at mid-chest. Below, the architecture of the plinth mirrors the frame above, creating a balanced, almost classical, form. The texture is rich despite the monochromatic palette. Basan coaxes depth and dimension from the hair and armour through intricate hatching, highlighting the era's emphasis on detail and ornamentation. The portrait, however, destabilizes traditional notions of royal power. The oval frame, almost like a locket, reduces Charles to a contained image. The ordered composition and meticulous detail invite questions about representation. Is this meant to immortalize or perhaps subtly confine the King within the bounds of artistic control? The engraving, through its formal constraints, opens up conversations about power, representation, and the gaze.