Henry IV, King of France

by Thomas Jefferys

This impressive engraving from the eighteenth century illustrates a formal image of King Henry IV, also called "Good King Henry," who was the first Bourbon monarch of France. Issued by Thomas Jefferys, this print belongs to the famous collection of engravings that depict costumes and notable personalities from various countries. It highlights King Henry's majesty and the rich texture of late sixteenth-century clothing.

In terms of Bourbon iconography, this print acts as a primary source of information for studying period costumes and represents one of the best examples of cartographic style portraiture created in the middle of the seventeenth century. This impression is usually produced on hand-made paper and retains the visible plate marks.