Portret van Karel I van Engeland met Henriëtta Maria en hun kinderen Karel en Maria Henriëtte c. 1670 - 1700

This engraving shows Charles I of England with Henrietta Maria and their children, Charles and Maria Henrietta. It’s difficult to know the exact date it was made, but the image encapsulates the hopes for stability that the royal family represented. The print creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. Made in the Netherlands, this artwork is influenced by the political and social conditions in England. This portrait would have circulated among the European courts, as a statement of dynastic power, but was made during a period of political upheaval. It may well have been intended to bolster the image of the royal family in the face of growing social and political tensions. Understanding this image requires research into the Stuart monarchy, and the political events that led to the English Civil War. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context, and historical study allows for a more complete understanding.