King Charles I; Sir Edward Walker

Sittersback to top

• King Charles I (1600-1649), Reigned 1625-49. Sitter associated with 330 portraits.
• Sir Edward Walker (1612-1677), Secretary to Charles I. Sitter associated with 5 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Unknown artist. Artist associated with 6233 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Charles I was a brave soldier and by the standards of the Civil War, a competent general. Walker, 'a very importunate, ambitious and foolish man, that studies nothing but his own ends', wearing his badge as Garter King-of-Arms, is shown as the King's Secretary-at-War, a post he also held under Charles II in exile. The scene is probably intended to represent one of the West Country campaigns of 1644-5, with what is perhaps a skirmish in front of Winchester in the background.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Piper, David, Catalogue of Seventeenth Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, 1625-1714, 1963, p. 63
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 116

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Crowns and tiaras
• Double portraits
• Hats and head-attire
• Landscapes
• On display at the Gallery
• Swords and shields
• War and peace tour
• Writing