James I, King of England
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
plate: 14.9 × 9.6 cm (5 7/8 × 3 3/4 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1950.14.708
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This elegant engraving captures James I, King of England, in a formal portrait created by the Dutch printmaker Crispijn de Passe I in 1622. Produced during the monarch’s reign, the image reflects the era’s interest in royal representation, when printed portraits helped convey authority and legitimacy across distances. At just under 15 centimeters tall, the work’s intimate scale suggests it was designed for personal study or inclusion in albums rather than grand display. As an engraving, the medium allowed skilled artists like de Passe to render fine details of costume, facial features, and sy...
About the Artist
Crispijn de Passe I
Crispijn de Passe I, born around 1564 in Arnemuiden, Zeeland, emerged as one of the most influential Dutch engravers and print publishers of his era. He relocated to Antwerp as a youth, where he honed his craft amid the city's vibrant printmaking scene, becoming an independent master in the Guild of Saint Luke by 1584–1585. There, he worked as a reproductive engraver, primarily after designs by pr...