Portret van James I 1615 - 1622

This is Simon van de Passe's "Portret van James I", an engraving at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the portrait is framed within an oval, immediately setting up a contained, formal space. The subject, James I, is rendered with intricate lines that define not just his features but also the textures of his clothing. The ruff, the fur, and the ornate chain, each meticulously detailed, speak to a society obsessed with status and representation. Van de Passe’s engraving technique uses hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, giving depth and volume to the figure within the flat plane. Consider the semiotic weight of these choices. The precision in depicting the material wealth surrounding James I doesn’t merely represent the king; it constructs a visual language of power. The artist uses line and form to convey a sense of immutable authority. This portrait thus functions as a carefully constructed symbol, designed to communicate specific ideas about sovereignty and lineage.