Busteportret van Henriette Maria, koningin van Engeland 1628 - 1670

Pieter de Jode the Younger created this engraving, Busteportret van Henriette Maria, koningin van Engeland, which translates to 'Bust Portrait of Henrietta Maria, Queen of England'. Henrietta Maria, as a Queen Consort in the 17th century, navigated the complexities of gender, religion, and politics in a male-dominated society, while also facing the challenges of being a Catholic in a Protestant country. Here, she’s framed in an oval, her soft features and elaborate lace contrasting with the formal Latin inscription at the bottom, declaring her titles. The original painting was done by Anthony van Dyck, a Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England. Note how her gaze is averted, her body turned slightly, as if caught in a moment of contemplation. Engravings like these circulated widely, shaping perceptions of royalty. While this image certainly portrays power and status, there’s also an undeniable vulnerability. The personal and political were inextricably linked for Henrietta Maria, and this portrait encapsulates that complex reality.