Artwork
King Henry III
King Henry III is an ink print by the Baroque artist Henry Roberts. It dates from 1733 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1733, this print by Henry Roberts combines etching and drypoint to depict King Henry III. The monarch is seated in a carved chair, his posture rigid and his expression weary, framed by a ruffled collar. The work is executed as a single sheet print, typical of early eighteenth‑century portraiture in the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
Roberts presents the king in a moment of subdued authority, emphasizing fatigue rather than regal triumph. The tired gaze and stiff pose suggest a contemplative or perhaps burdensome aspect of rulership, inviting viewers to consider the human dimension behind the crown.
Technique & Style
The image employs two distinct intaglio methods. Fine outlines are rendered with an etching needle, producing delicate lines, while a drypoint needle creates deeper, ink‑rich scratches. These darker drypoint strokes accentuate the folds of the royal robe and deepen the shadows on the face, giving the figure a sense of weight and presence.
History & Provenance
The engraving was produced by Henry Roberts, an English printmaker active in the early 1700s. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work appears in several eighteenth‑century collections of royal portrait prints, indicating its circulation among collectors interested in monarchical imagery.
Artist & collection
