Carolus Ith

Smith, John

Mezzotint portrait on paper of Charles I (1600-1649), King of England, engraved and published by John Smith (1652-1743) in London between 1690 and 1743. The print is a simplified version of the frontispiece to the Eikon Basilike (Εἰκὼν Βασιλική), the purported autobiography of the king published shortly after his execution. Charles is depicted as a Christian martyr, kneeling before an altar upon which rests an open book. One foot stands upon a globe beside the upturned crown of England. Charles holds a crown of thorns, equating his death with Christ’s passion. A ray of light leads from his left eye to the heavenly crown of martyrdom above. The original frontispiece (several versions exist) included Latin inscriptions within the image. In this print, a single excerpt in Greek from the Letter of St Paul to the Hebrews (11.38) is included in the lower margin and reads, the world was not worthy (ουκ ην αξιοσ ο κοσμοσ).