Portrait of Charles XI, King of Sweden - Samuel Blesendorf

A formal Baroque engraving by Samuel Blesendorf depicting Charles XI of Sweden, framed by elaborate heraldic and military motifs.

This engraving by Samuel Blesendorf depicts Charles XI, King of Sweden, presented within a formal oval frame. The monarch is shown in a bust-length portrait, wearing a periwig and a lace cravat, draped in an ermine-lined cloak. His expression is composed, reflecting the formal requirements of seventeenth-century royal portraiture.

The surrounding frame is highly decorative, featuring a laurel wreath that encircles the portrait. Above the oval, a crown sits centrally, flanked by crossed batons or sceptres. The base of the composition is occupied by an elaborate cartouche containing the Swedish royal coat of arms, accompanied by military accoutrements such as a helmet and weaponry. This arrangement communicates the authority and martial status of the monarch.

Blesendorf, a German engraver and goldsmith, demonstrates technical precision in the handling of the burin. The varying density of the lines creates a sense of volume in the drapery and texture in the lace. The Latin inscription at the base, 'CAROLUS XI, SUECORUM, GOTHORUM, ET VANDALORUM REX', identifies the subject and his titles. The inclusion of the motto 'DOMINUS PRO TECTOR MEUS' at the top adds a layer of religious and political symbolism common to the period. This work is a fine example of the printmaking traditions used to disseminate the image of European royalty during the late seventeenth century, combining heraldic elements with classical portrait conventions.