The King to the Prince of Wales; ‘Thou shalt have charge and sovereign trust herein,” King Henry IV, Part I, Act III, Scene II 1905 

American artist Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911) is known for his historical and literary paintings. This painting depicts a scene from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. King Henry IV, dressed in a black robe, places a ceremonial robe on his son, the Prince of Wales, who is standing before him. The ornate, gold and white robe symbolizes the responsibilities and burden of leadership being passed down from father to son. The painting, executed in a realistic style, captures the solemnity of the moment, with the figures and the room rendered with rich detail.