Portret van James V, koning van Schotland 1549 - 1575

This is an engraving of James V, King of Scotland, created by an anonymous artist. Portraits of monarchs served as powerful statements of identity and authority. James V is adorned in the garments of royalty, complete with puffed sleeves and a decorative chain. Despite his finery, the inclusion of winged death heads lends an eerie tone to this otherwise conventional portrait. The fact that the artist is unknown speaks volumes about the structures of power at play in the creation of royal portraits. While the image of the King was deemed important, the identity of the engraver was not. What does it mean when labor becomes invisible in service of the crown? Consider how images such as this one worked to shape the perception of James V, and how the circulation of such images might have impacted the lives of his subjects.