Who painted Shield of Charles I?

Shield of Charles I was painted by Simon van de Passe in 1616.

Where can I see Shield of Charles I?

Shield of Charles I is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Shield of Charles I?

Shield of Charles I is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Shield of Charles I

Simon van de Passe , 1616

Shield of Charles I is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simon van de Passe. It dates from 1616 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Simon van de Passe’s 1616 engraving, titled Shield of Charles I, reproduces a silver medal design. Rendered in black‑and‑white line work, the image presents a heraldic shield divided into four quarters, each bearing a distinct emblem, and is surrounded by a circular inscription of royal titles.

Subject & Meaning

The shield’s four fields display a lion, a floral motif, a crown, and a harp, symbols associated with English monarchy, royal authority, and cultural patronage. Above the shield a larger crown reinforces the sovereign status, while the surrounding legend enumerates titles such as Duke of York and Prince of Wales, underscoring the monarch’s multiple offices.

Technique & Style

Van de Passe employed fine incised lines to translate the three‑dimensional relief of a silver medal onto a two‑dimensional print. The engraving’s crisp outlines and balanced composition reflect the early‑17th‑century Dutch printmaking tradition, emphasizing clarity of heraldic detail over tonal shading.

History & Provenance

Created shortly after Charles I’s accession, the print served as a visual affirmation of his legitimacy. It was likely circulated among courtiers and foreign dignitaries as a portable emblem of the new king’s lineage and claims.

Context

The work belongs to a broader European practice of reproducing royal medals as prints, a means of disseminating regal iconography across borders. Van de Passe, a prominent engraver in the Dutch Republic, frequently produced such commemorative images for aristocratic patrons.

Legacy

Although primarily a documentary artifact, the engraving provides scholars with insight into early Stuart heraldry and the visual strategies used to project monarchical authority during the early reign of Charles I.