Family Tree with Portraits of Henry VII, Henry VIII, Elizabeth, James, and Charles
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image is a long, narrow engraving packed with faces and symbols. You see rows of portraits—some men with beards, others clean-shaven—all connected by branches and leaves like a family tree. Each face is surrounded by a shield with strange shapes and colors, and tiny text wraps around the edges, naming people and titles. The whole thing looks like a mix of history and heraldry, with crowns and coats of arms everywhere. The portraits focus on five key figures, likely kings and queens, placed in the center. The rest of the names and shields branch out like a diagram, showing how they’re all related. The style is precise and detailed, typical of the time it was made. Want to know more? Look up engraving to see how artists like this created sharp, lasting images.
