Charles I, as Prince of Wales

Art Historical Context

This striking engraving by Francis Delaram captures Charles Stuart as Prince of Wales in 1616, five years before he would ascend the throne as Charles I. Created when the young prince was just sixteen, the portrait presents him in formal attire befitting his royal status, reflecting the era’s emphasis on dynastic imagery during the reign of his father, James I. Delaram, a skilled printmaker active in early seventeenth-century England, specialized in such royal likenesses that helped shape public perception of the monarchy. As an engraving—a medium prized for its precision and ability to produce multiple impressions—this work played an important role in circulating the prince’s image across Britain and beyond. Printed on a modest scale, it would have been affordable for a wider audience than painted portraits, serving both as a collectible item and a subtle tool of political messaging. Today, this impression from the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection offers viewers a tangible connection to the turbulent Stuart era, long before Charles’s reign ended in civil war and execution.

About the Artist

Francis Delaram

Francis Delaram (c. 1590–1627) was a prolific English engraver active in London during the early Jacobean era, producing several hundred plates that captured the likenesses of monarchs, nobles, and scholars. Flourishing from around 1615, he specialized in line engravings for portraits, title pages, and book illustrations, often working after prominent painters. His output contributed significantly...