Charles I, King of England

Hollar arrived in England during the times of Charles I Stuart (1600-1649). The artist also worked for the royal family, as he recorded in his brief autobiography, a fact also documented in a number of portraits and dedications. However, the reign of Charles I led to problems that resulted in the English Civil War. The king was arrested and, in 1649, executed. His portrait, based on a painting by Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), is dated the year of the king’s execution and was published during Hollar’s residence in Antwerp.