Portret van Robert Carr 1615 - 1622

Simon van de Passe created this engraving, "Portret van Robert Carr," capturing the likeness of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, a prominent figure in the court of King James I of England. During this time, portraiture was a tool for constructing identity and signaling social status. Note how Carr is framed within an oval, encircled by Latin text, and the English inscription below further emphasizes his titles and affiliation with the Order of the Garter, an order of chivalry. Carr’s rise and fall from grace—due to his scandalous affair with Frances Howard and implication in the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury—reveal the precarious nature of power and favor in the Jacobean era. Van de Passe’s engraving immortalizes Carr, offering us a glimpse into the complex interplay of politics, desire, and morality of the 17th century. The portrait invites us to consider the human frailties behind the facade of nobility.