Where can I see Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry?

Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry?

Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry

Shields of Frederick V, Elizabeth, and Prince Frederick Henry 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 three ornamental shields, each topped with a crown and filled with intricate scrollwork.

Simon van de Passe’s 1621 engraving presents three ornamental shields, each topped with a crown and filled with intricate scrollwork. The composition is framed by a decorative border bearing Latin inscriptions that identify the figures represented: King Frederick V, his consort Elizabeth, and their son, Prince Frederick Henry. Two stylised lion heads flank the central design, adding a heraldic touch.

Subject & Meaning

The shields function as visual representations of the royal family’s status and lineage. By placing the monarch, queen, and heir together, the image underscores dynastic continuity and the political alliance embodied in their marriage, while the lion motifs reinforce notions of strength and sovereignty.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving derived from an earlier silver medal, the work employs fine line work to render the elaborate arabesques and lettering. Van de Passe’s precise incising captures the metallic sheen of the original medal, translating its three‑dimensional relief into a flat, yet richly detailed, print.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s practice of reproducing medallic portraiture for wider circulation. It likely served as a commemorative image for supporters of the Palatinate court during the tumultuous years of the Thirty Years’ War, when Frederick V’s brief reign and exile were prominent topics.

Context

Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and Elizabeth Stuart were central figures in the Protestant cause, their marriage linking German and English royal houses. The inclusion of their son, Frederick Henry, anticipates the continuation of their claim. The engraving thus operates within a broader network of political propaganda and dynastic affirmation.