Anne of Denmark, Queen of England and Scotland

Art Historical Context

This striking 1618 print by Simon van de Passe captures Anne of Denmark, queen consort to James I of England and VI of Scotland, in all her regal splendor. Created during a period when printed portraits helped shape public perceptions of royalty, the image presents the queen as both sovereign and cultural figure. Van de Passe, a Dutch engraver active in England, specialized in detailed line work that allowed such portraits to circulate widely among the nobility and educated public. The medium of print was especially significant in the early seventeenth century, offering an accessible alternative to painted portraits while showcasing intricate symbols of power. Anne appears adorned with a crown, pearls, a ruff, and a fan, alongside her coat of arms—elements that underscore her status and her well-documented role as a patron of the arts, supporting writers, architects, and masques at court. Beyond its decorative appeal, the print reflects the era’s growing interest in royal iconography and the queen’s influence on English cultural life. Today it resides in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, inviting viewers to consider how images helped define queenship in Jacobean Britain.