Portret van Karel II, koning van Spanje 1686

Nicolas de Larmessin I created this engraving of Charles II, King of Spain. Without a specific date, it exists within the landscape of 17th-century portraiture, a period marked by the consolidation of power and the construction of royal image. Portraits like this one were not just representations, they were active participants in courtly life. Consider the weight of expectation on Charles, who inherited the throne at a young age. The armor he wears signifies power. The soft curls and cherubic face speak to something else. Charles's reign was fraught with political instability, in part due to his ill health and inability to produce an heir. Portraits such as these often become complex sites where the personal and political intersect. Larmessin’s engraving allows us to consider the man behind the crown, shaped by forces beyond his control, even as he was expected to embody the strength and continuity of the Spanish monarchy.