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Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

(1619-1682), Soldier and patron of science; son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine and King of Bohemia and Elizabeth of Bohemia

Sitter associated with 45 portraits
Artist associated with 1 portrait
The third son of Frederick V and Elizabeth, the exiled King and Queen of Bohemia, Rupert was a nephew of King Charles I. A keen experimental scientist, he developed a range of inventions including a water pump, navigational instruments, gunpowder and an early machine gun. He was also a notable tennis player and one of the earliest mezzotint printmakers in England. These interests led to him becoming a founding Fellow of the Royal Society in 1664. Having gained extensive military experience abroad, he proved to be one of the most skilful and inspiring Royalist commanders in the Civil War, and was a successful naval commander against the Dutch after the Restoration. Due to his fear of Dutch trading dominance, Rupert helped gain royal patronage for the Royal African Company, which was given a monopoly over the British slave trade.

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Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by Gerrit van Honthorst - NPG 4519

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by Gerrit van Honthorst
oil on panel, feigned oval, circa 1640
On display in Room 6 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4519

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, after Sir Peter Lely - NPG 233

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

after Sir Peter Lely
watercolour on vellum, based on a work of circa 1665
NPG 233

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by Hendrik Snyers, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D18151

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by Hendrik Snyers, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18151

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, published by Balthasar Moncornet, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D18154

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18154

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, published by Pieter de Jode II, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D18155

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

published by Pieter de Jode II, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18155

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, published by Pieter de Jode II, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D18156

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

published by Pieter de Jode II, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18156

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by Hendrik Snyers, published by  Johannes Meyssens, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D18851

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by Hendrik Snyers, published by Johannes Meyssens, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D18851

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, after William Faithorne, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D22926

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

after William Faithorne, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, (early 1640s)
NPG D22926

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, after William Faithorne, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D22927

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

after William Faithorne, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, (early 1640s)
NPG D22927

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by William Faithorne, published by  Sir Robert Peake, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D26473

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, early 1640s
NPG D26473

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by William Faithorne, published by  Sir Robert Peake, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D32644

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, early 1640s
NPG D32644

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by William Faithorne, published by  Thomas Hinde, after  Sir Anthony van Dyck - NPG D22925

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by William Faithorne, published by Thomas Hinde, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, published circa 1643-1652
NPG D22925

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by Wenceslaus Hollar, published by  John Giles - NPG D20069

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by Wenceslaus Hollar, published by John Giles
etching, published 1643
NPG D20069

King Charles I and his adherents, after Sir Anthony van Dyck, and after  Unknown artists - NPG D22672

King Charles I and his adherents

after Sir Anthony van Dyck, and after Unknown artists
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D22672

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, by William Faithorne, published by  Peter Stent, after  William Dobson - NPG D22928

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

by William Faithorne, published by Peter Stent, after William Dobson
line engraving, published 1662
NPG D22928

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