Queen Henrietta Maria 1635

Anthony van Dyck painted this portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I, sometime in the 17th century. Van Dyck, a Flemish artist, was the leading court painter in England, and his portraits were crucial in shaping the image of the monarchy. Henrietta Maria was a controversial figure, as a Catholic queen in a Protestant country. Van Dyck’s portrayal attempts to negotiate these tensions. We see her adorned with pearls, symbols of wealth and status, yet her gaze is soft, almost melancholic. The inclusion of the crown is interesting. It is placed to the side, and the composition draws our eyes to her face. What does it mean to be a woman in power? Through Van Dyck’s skillful brush, Henrietta Maria appears both regal and vulnerable, inviting us to consider the complexities of her position and the narratives she had to construct.