563 - G. VERTUE (*1684) after SOMER (*1576), Portrait of James I, 1736, Etching

G. VERTUE (*1684) after SOMER (*1576), Portrait of James I, 1736, Etching George Vertue (1684 London - 1756 ibid.) after Paul van Somer (1576 Antwerp - 1621 London): Portrait of King James I with decorative frame and coat of arms, 1736, Etching Technique: Etching and Copper engraving on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "Paulus Vansomer p. | G. Vertue Sculp". At the center inscribed in the printing plate: "JAMES I. KING of GREAT BRITAIN FRANCE and IRELAND Defender of the Faith &c.". Lower middle further inscription: "An original painting in the Palace of Hampton Court". Date: 1736 Description: The finely executed portrait shows King James I of Great Britain in an upright half-length figure within a richly decorated frame with the royal coat of arms, crown and motto "Beati Pacifici". He is wearing splendid court dress with a lace collar. The sceptre and orb, symbols of royal power, lie on the ledge in front of the picture. The depiction is a representative homage to the monarch as "Defender of the Faith". Person: From 1567 as James VI King of Scotland and from 1603 until his death additionally as James I King of England and King of Ireland. Keywords: James I; Portrait of the King; Engraving; Copper engraving; 17th century; Baroque; Great Britain; Tudor-Stuart; Hampton Court; Royal coat of arms; Sceptre; Orbans of the realm; Paulus van Somer; Ruling insignia; Defender of the Faith; Representational art; Monarchy; Royal symbolism; English history; Portrait engraving; 18th century; Baroque; Portraits; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 30,1 cm x 19,2 cm (11,9 x 7,6 in), Plate: 29,7 cm x 18,5 cm (11,7 x 7,3 in), Depiction: 28,9 cm x 18,0 cm (11,4 x 7,1 in) Condition: Good condition. Minimally discoloured due to age. With a slight crease at the top centre of the paper. Minimally stained in places. The engraving is clearly preserved and detailed. Reinforced on the reverse with a narrow surrounding paper margin.