Portrait of King Charles I - Alexander Browne
Archival giclée
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Description
A detailed mezzotint portrait of King Charles I in armour, capturing the dramatic lighting and formal iconography of the seventeenth-century British court.
This mezzotint by Alexander Browne depicts King Charles I in formal armour, a composition derived from the courtly portraiture tradition established by Anthony van Dyck. Browne, a significant figure in the dissemination of printmaking techniques in seventeenth-century Britain, utilised the mezzotint process to achieve the soft, tonal transitions visible in the monarch's face and the reflective surfaces of the steel breastplate. The king is shown in a three-quarter view, his hand resting upon an orb, which serves as a symbol of his sovereign authority. Beside him, the crown rests upon a draped table, reinforcing the royal iconography typical of the period.
The background features a heavy, draped curtain and a glimpse of a turbulent sky, elements that add a sense of drama to the composition. The use of light and shadow is characteristic of the Baroque style, where the subject emerges from the darkness to command the viewer's attention. The inscription at the base of the print, 'Carolus Primus Dei Gratia', identifies the monarch and his titles, a common feature in formal portrait prints of the era intended for display in private collections or public spaces.
Alexander Browne was active as both a printmaker and a publisher in London, and his work played a role in popularising the likenesses of the Stuart monarchs. This print demonstrates the technical capabilities of the mezzotint medium, which allowed for a range of greys and deep blacks that woodcuts or line engravings could not easily replicate. The attention to the texture of the metal armour and the folds of the fabric demonstrates the skill required to translate oil painting techniques into the print medium. This work offers a clear view into the visual culture of the Restoration period, where the image of the martyred king remained a subject of interest for collectors and loyalists alike.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Portrait of King Charles I - Alexander Browne
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