Who painted James I, King of England [top half]?

James I, King of England [top half] was painted by Simon van de Passe in 1621.

Where can I see James I, King of England [top half]?

James I, King of England [top half] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is James I, King of England [top half]?

James I, King of England [top half] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

James I, King of England [top half]

Simon van de Passe , 1621

James I, King of England [top half] 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 the upper portion of a portrait of James I, King of England. Rendered in monochrome, the image captures the monarch’s full beard, stiff ruffled collar, and a wide‑brimmed hat topped with a feathered ornament, set against an unadorned background.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts James I in regal attire, emphasizing his authority through the formal collar and elaborate hat. The focus on facial features and headgear reflects the early‑modern interest in portraying sovereigns as embodiments of state power and personal dignity.

Technique & Style

Van de Passe transferred a design originally struck on a silver medal onto a copper plate, carving fine lines to render texture and shading. The engraving technique, typical of the early 17th century, relies on delicate incisions that produce tonal variation when inked and pressed onto paper.

History & Provenance

Created in 1621, the print was likely intended for dissemination among court circles and collectors interested in royal iconography. As a reproduction of a medal, it illustrates the period’s practice of circulating a ruler’s likeness through multiple media.

Context

The early Stuart era saw a surge in portraiture that combined traditional heraldic elements with emerging print technologies. Van de Passe, a prominent engraver of the Dutch school, contributed to this trend by adapting metal‑coin designs for broader audiences.

Legacy

While the engraving is a relatively modest example of royal portraiture, it demonstrates the interplay between medallic art and printmaking that shaped visual representations of monarchy in the early modern period.