Portret van Karel I, koning van Engeland 1715 - 1766

Editor: Here we have John Faber the Younger's engraving, "Portret van Karel I, koning van Engeland," created sometime between 1715 and 1766. It depicts King Charles I in formal attire. The monochromatic palette creates a somber, serious tone. What strikes you about the formal qualities of this work? Curator: The image's power lies in its compositional balance and strategic use of light and shadow. Notice how the artist guides our gaze—from the ornate details of his attire and the reflective textures achieved by the engraving, to the starkness of the background that pushes him forward. It is the contrast itself which reveals form. Editor: It’s interesting how the light emphasizes the face, drawing us into his gaze, but I wonder about the heavy clothing weighing the figure down. Curator: Indeed. Observe how the dark cloak engulfs most of the figure, contrasted by smaller spots of high reflection off the collar. Consider it not as mere representation, but as the semiotic embodiment of power itself. Faber is representing both King Charles, and a symbol, through pictorial structures alone. What effect does that tension achieve, in your opinion? Editor: I think that tension amplifies the portrait’s complexity. He's not just a person, but an idea caught in a power struggle that he seems powerless to win. It adds depth to a seemingly straightforward depiction. Curator: Precisely! By focusing on the formal elements—the contrasting textures, the strategic illumination, and the symbolic weight of the composition—we uncover layers of meaning embedded within the structure itself. Editor: I see it now. So much can be learned through simply observing lines, shapes and how the print media influenced choices. Thank you for sharing these observations!