Portret van Koning Karel I van Engeland en koningin Henriëtta Maria van Frankrijk met hun zonen Charles en James 1741

This print by Bernard Baron depicts Charles I, King of England, Henrietta Maria of France, and their sons, and it was made in the 18th century. It speaks volumes about the evolving role of the monarchy and its image-making in the eyes of the British public. Prints like these, especially those circulating in the 1700s, were a form of royal propaganda. By this point the monarchy had been restored, but it was operating in a changed social and political landscape. The image creates meaning through visual codes associated with monarchy such as the crown. The classical columns are a symbolic association with the power of the Roman empire. In the background, we can see the city of London. These symbols were designed to solidify the authority of the monarchy and construct a narrative of dynastic continuity. To understand the significance of images like this, historians look at things like the print market, distribution networks, and public responses. What was the role of art institutions in shaping the public’s perception of the monarchy? This print reflects a monarchy keen to legitimize itself in the face of historical upheavals.