Portret van Karel I, koning van Engeland 1628 - 1670

This engraving of Charles I, King of England, France and Ireland was made by Pieter de Jode II in the 17th century. De Jode, based in Antwerp, was one of many Flemish artists who contributed to the visual culture of European royalty, often from afar. This image creates meaning through established visual codes. Clad in armour, Charles embodies military strength, while the crown beside him signifies his divinely ordained right to rule. The inscription reinforces this, proclaiming him "Serenissimus et Potentissimus Princeps" – the most serene and powerful of princes. But this image was made during a turbulent period. It was produced before the English Civil War, but hints at a monarchical crisis. To understand this work fully, we need to delve into the political and religious tensions of the time, and the history of the institutions that shaped its production. Resources such as letters, pamphlets, and financial records can illuminate the complex social conditions that underpinned its creation. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.