King James I of England and VI of Scotland; Henry, Prince of Wales

Sittersback to top

• Henry, Prince of Wales (1594-1612), Eldest son of James I. Sitter associated with 41 portraits.
• King James I of England and VI of Scotland (1566-1625), Reigned, Scotland from 1567, England 1603-25. Sitter associated with 196 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Willem de Passe (1597 or 1598-1636 or 1637), Engraver. Artist associated with 169 portraits.

This portraitback to top

King James VI of Scotland succeeded to the English throne in 1603 and moved his court from Edinburgh to London. This print was first engraved in 1621 to show James with his second son Prince Charles. After James's death in 1625 the plate was altered, changing the identity of the prince to the deceased Henry and replacing a hat and orb with skulls. A contemporary likeness thus became a memorial portrait of the new king's father and brother.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Making History: Printed Portraiture in Tudor and Stuart Britain (7 July 2007 - 9 December 2007)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Skulls and bones
• Words and inscriptions