Karel I van Engeland gekroond door Gerechtigheid 1639

This engraving of "Karel I van Engeland gekroond door Gerechtigheid" was created by Wenceslaus Hollar. Notice how the composition presents King Charles I at a pivotal moment. The figure of Justice, identified with sword and balance, looms over him as she crowns him with laurel. The artist uses line and space to create a formal, almost austere setting. The grey scale and the precision of the engraved lines lend the scene a sense of gravity, which underscores the significance of the king’s coronation. However, the drape behind him is unsettling, and there is a sense of foreboding in the contrast between the power of the king and the cold, almost detached figure of Justice. The lines and shapes might represent the inherent tensions between divine right and moral accountability. The very act of crowning, usually a symbol of absolute authority, is here mediated, raising questions about the source and limits of royal power. The composition implies that Charles’ authority is subject to principles that are beyond his own will.