James I was the son of Mary Queen of Scots, and Henry, Lord Darnley, his accession to the throne in 1603 united the crowns of England and Scotland.

This posthumous portrait was painted by Van Dyck for Charles I, presumably to form part of the royal family portrait gallery in the Cross Gallery at Somerset House. It is a re-interpretation of the full-length portrait of the King by Van Somer (Royal Collection). Although the head is quite carefully copied from Van Somer's prototype, Van Dyck has designed a more distinguished setting for the King. He has been given a more elegant and less static pose, all his armour has been removed and the regalia has been repositioned.