James I and Anne of Denmark

James I and Anne of Denmark

Johan Wierix

1582

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a man and a woman standing side by side. The man wears a wide-brimmed hat, a dark fur-lined coat, and a sword at his side. The woman has a tall, ruffled collar, a fancy dress with intricate patterns, and holds a fan. Behind them, a landscape with hills and a small boat is faintly sketched. The text at the bottom reads "IACOBUS ET ANNA, REX ET REGINA ANGLIAE FRANCIA SCOTIA ET HIBERNIAE," which means they’re likely a king and queen of those places. Their clothes and the detailed armor suggest this is from a time when people dressed very formally. If you like this style, check out the technique: engraving.

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