Artwork
James I
James I is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1586 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This black-and-white engraving depicts a bearded man, identified as James I, adorned in elaborate attire, including a wide-brimmed hat, fur-lined robe, and a medallion-bearing chain. His hands rest on a book and a folded paper, set against a textured, dark background with an additional book on a shelf.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, James I, is portrayed in a manner suggesting intellect and authority, as indicated by the book under his hand and the formal, ornate clothing. The folded paper may imply a connection to governance or correspondence.
Technique & Style
The engraving utilizes cross-hatching, a technique of crisscrossing lines, to achieve depth and detail without the use of color. This method is characteristic of detailed, high-contrast printmaking of its time.
History & Provenance
No specific historical or provenance details are provided for this engraving beyond its subject identification as James I.
Context
The work reflects the artistic and printmaking techniques prevalent during the period of James I's reign (1603-1625), aligning with the era's portrait styles that emphasized status and intellect.
Legacy
While the engraving's direct influence is not specified, it contributes to the broader legacy of cross-hatching in printmaking and the visual representation of historical figures in art.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
