Artwork
Charles I, King of England, On Horseback
Charles I, King of England, On Horseback is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Simon van de Passe’s 1621 engraving presents a regal figure astride a rearing horse, rendered in stark black‑and‑white lines.
Simon van de Passe’s 1621 engraving presents a regal figure astride a rearing horse, rendered in stark black‑and‑white lines. The rider, identified as Charles I, is dressed in a wide‑brimmed hat, a ruffled collar and a cloak that conceals armor, while the horse’s muscular form dominates the composition. Beneath them a miniature town and river stretch into the distance, framing the scene with a sense of landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays Charles I as a sovereign commander, emphasizing authority through martial attire and the dynamic pose of his mount. The inclusion of a town and river below suggests dominion over both urban and natural realms, while the heraldic crest on the saddle and the surrounding Latin inscription reinforce the monarch’s official status and power.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving derived from a silver medal, the work relies on incised lines to convey texture and depth. Van de Passe’s skillful use of cross‑hatching creates a rich tonal range, allowing the horse’s musculature and the rider’s garments to emerge with clarity. The linear precision characteristic of early 17th‑century printmaking is evident throughout.
History & Provenance
Created in 1621, the print was likely intended for dissemination as a political emblem during Charles I’s early reign. Simon van de Passe, a prominent Dutch engraver active in England, frequently reproduced medals and portraits for courtly patronage. The work survives in several museum collections, attesting to its circulation as a printed representation of royal imagery.
Context
The engraving emerges at a time when portrait medals and their printed copies served as tools of propaganda, reinforcing monarchical legitimacy amid rising tensions in England. Van de Passe’s involvement reflects the cross‑channel artistic exchange, as Dutch craftsmen supplied English courts with sophisticated print techniques that amplified royal iconography.
Artist & collection
![Charles I, King of England, On Horseback [bottom half], by Simon van de Passe](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/simon-van-de-passe--charles-i-king-of-england-on-horseback-bottom-half--830ca31b00f1392d-w320.webp)
