King Charles I (1600-49) Reigned 1625-49

Sir Anthony van, (after) Dyck

Oil on canvas

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Image of King Charles I (1600-49) Reigned 1625-49
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Ethiopia
    City: Addis Ababa
    Place: British Embassy
    This quarter-length portrait shows King Charles I in a suit of armour with the Garter badge on the chain around his neck. He holds a baton in his right hand and rests his left arm on his helmet. The work is a copy of a portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck in the collection of the Duke of Norfolk at Arundel Castle. The original version was presumably painted in 1635–6. Other copies of the original can be found in the National Portrait Gallery, London, Versailles, Wilton House and Sudeley Castle.

  • About the artist
    Sir Anthony van Dyck was born in Antwerp. Early in his career he was an assistant to Peter Paul Rubens. He first visited England between November 1620 and February 1621, where his work impressed King James I. He then travelled to Italy, staying until the autumn of 1627, before returning to Antwerp. During his time in Italy, van Dyck developed as a portrait painter, painting mostly wealthy merchant-princes. His style evolved under the influence of works by Titian and Veronese. In 1632 he returned to England, where he became 'Principal Painter in Ordinary' to Charles I. The following year he was knighted. His portraits of the royal family enhanced their prestige at home and abroad and his work had a profound influence on British portraiture.
  • Explore
    People
    Charles I (1600 - 1649)
    Places
    Subjects
    royal portrait, beard, moustache, man, 17th century costume, armour, sash, helmet, baton, Order of the Garter, King
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    Sir Anthony van, (after) Dyck
    Title
    King Charles I (1600-49) Reigned 1625-49
    Date
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 95.00 cm, width: 81.00 cm
    Acquisition
    Purchased from Christie's, 30 March 1951
    Provenance
    Presumably collection of Alfred Seymour (1824-1888) of Knoyle House, Salisbury, Wiltshire; by descent to his daughter Jane Margaret Seymour (1873-1943) of Knoyle House; by whose executors, sold through Christie's, London, on 19 January 1945 (Lot 95), as by Henry Stone, for £68.5.0; from which sale purchased by Leggatt Bros.; collection of Colonel G. C. Golding; by whose executors sold, via Leggatt Bros., through Christie’s, London, ‘Old Pictures: property of the late Colonel G. C. Golding. . .’ on 30 March 1951 (Lot 25); from which sale purchased by ‘Phillips’ on behalf of the Ministry of Works
    GAC number
    1278