Artwork
John, King of England
John, King of England is an ink print by the Baroque artist British 17th Century. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is an engraved portrait of John, who reigned as King of England from 1199 to 1216.
About this work
Overview
The work is an engraved portrait of John, who reigned as King of England from 1199 to 1216. Executed as a print, the image presents the monarch in formal attire, his expression solemn, and is rendered with a high degree of detail characteristic of early modern portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait emphasizes royal authority through the king’s elaborate costume and composed demeanor. By depicting John in a dignified pose, the image reinforces his status as sovereign and reflects contemporary expectations of monarchical representation.
Technique & Style
Created with fine, closely spaced lines, the engraving employs hatching and cross‑hatching to model form and suggest texture. This meticulous line work generates subtle tonal variations, a standard method for achieving depth and realism in prints of the period.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the tradition of early 13th‑century English portraiture, though the exact date of execution and the identity of the engraver remain undocumented. It has circulated in collections of royal iconography and is often cited as a visual source for John’s appearance.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist made detailed engravings and etchings in 17th-century Britain, often for book pages.
