Portret van Hendrik III, koning van Frankrijk 1682 - 1730

This engraving of Henri III, King of France and Poland, was made by Jacobus Harrewijn in the Netherlands, sometime between 1670 and 1730. Henri III ruled France during a period of intense religious conflict and was ultimately assassinated, so this image participates in a longer tradition of posthumous memorialization. The print contains visual cues common in royal portraiture of the time. Henri III is adorned with symbols of power, such as his crown and royal garments. But the banner at the top reads "Manet Ultima Coelo" - "The last one remains in Heaven". The flags and spears at the bottom have been laid down as if on a tomb. These symbols may allude to the turbulent nature of Henri III's reign, and perhaps offer a commentary on the fleeting nature of earthly power compared to eternal salvation. To better understand the print’s historical context, one could research the history of royal portraiture in France and the Netherlands, as well as study the religious and political conflicts that defined Henri III's reign.