Charles I, King of England, was executed by Parliamentarians in 1649, following the Second English Civil War. He was killed in part for refusing to abandon the episcopal and sacramental beliefs of the Church of England. He is venerated as a martyr by many high church Anglicans.
Contemporary depictions of Charles’s beheading show him dressed in relatively plain clothes, and I took this as a detail probably attested by eyewitnesses. I read also that after Charles’s barber was dismissed by Parliament, he refused to let anyone else shave him or cut his hair (presumably fearing assassination); therefore, I drew his hair and beard somewhat longer than they appear in his most familiar portraits.
The overall theme of the drawing relates to the Eikon Basilike, a spiritual biography attributed to Charles. From this work’s allegorical frontispiece and its accompanying poem, I took the theme of the three crowns: the earthly crown of vanity; the crown of thorns, of grace; and the heavenly crown, of glory. I also took from it the motto IN VERBO TUA SPES MEA, which I wrote on a shield at the bottom of the drawing.
The three heraldic lions in the border refer to those in the coat of arms of England. The inscription in blackletter reads Carolus, Rex et Martyr, or Charles, King and Martyr.
Medium: Drawing; black, brown and blue ink on goatskin parchment
Dimensions: ~8” × ~13"
Year: 2025
Open-edition giclée prints of this drawing are available. You may use the buttons below to pay via PayPal, debit card, or credit card. Be sure to confirm the shipping address.
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Actual size art print: $80
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18" × 27" large print: $160
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200dpi digital download: $15
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See this page for additional ordering instructions and general information. If you want to pay via a check or money order, please e-mail me at danielmitsuiartist@gmail.com.
