Portret van Karel I, koning van Engeland 1738

This is a print of Charles I, King of England, made by John Faber II. Notice the star-shaped medallion pinned to Charles's cloak, an emblem of the Order of the Garter. This star is not merely decorative; it is a potent symbol of chivalry and honor, echoing back to medieval knights and their heraldic devices. You see similar motifs across Europe, each royal house appropriating symbols to bolster their divine right to rule. Consider how this emblem serves as a kind of psychological anchor, linking Charles to a lineage of power and authority. The composition itself, with Charles gazing confidently outward, is designed to project an image of unshakeable authority, a visual strategy employed by rulers across time. Yet, history tells us, this carefully constructed image ultimately could not hold, and we know of the tragic fate that awaited Charles. This creates a tension, a poignant layer of historical irony that engages us on a subconscious level, reminding us of the fleeting nature of power and the cyclical patterns of history.