Portret van Jacobus I (koning van Engeland) 1625

This is a portrait of Jacobus I, King of England, made by Pieter Serwouters. The composition is dominated by a central oval frame containing the king's likeness, surrounded by symbolic figures and text. Notice the intricate use of line and form, achieved through engraving. The formal structure divides into distinct registers. Above, angels hold a crown, framing the king’s portrait. Below, allegorical figures representing justice and prosperity flank the title, creating a balanced, symmetrical arrangement. This symmetry, however, is disrupted by the figures' gaze and the objects they carry: a ship and scales, suggesting a tension between governance and commerce. Serwouters uses this structure to create a visual argument about the nature of rule, invoking classical ideals through a highly structured composition. Ultimately, Serwouters' work embodies the complex interplay between art, power, and representation, inviting us to consider how these elements shape our understanding of authority.