The image features a structured collage of individual portraits of English monarchs, organized in a neat grid pattern. There are seven rows and six columns of faces, representing a timeline of historical rulers from 1066 to the present day. Each portrait captures the likeness of a different king or queen, ranging from early monarchs depicted in medieval-style illustrations to more modern figures captured in later artistic styles, including formal oil paintings and contemporary photographs.
The composition is highly ordered, with each subject centered within their own rectangular frame. The subjects are dressed in various royal regalia, including crowns, elaborate neck ruffs, ornate robes, and military uniforms, reflecting the shifting fashions and artistic conventions of their respective eras. The background colors behind the portraits vary, alternating between dark tones and softer, neutral shades, which helps to create a rhythmic visual flow across the entire grid.
Technically, the artwork displays a mix of artistic mediums, including charcoal or pencil sketches, classic portraits in oil, and realistic photography. The lighting varies from dramatic chiaroscuro in the older paintings to even, studio-style lighting in the later images. The overall effect is that of a historical archive, providing a comprehensive visual chronology of the English monarchy set against a warm, wooden-toned background.