King Charles II at Whiteladies (King Charles II; Richard Penderel)

Sittersback to top

• King Charles II (1630-1685), Reigned 1660-85. Sitter associated with 292 portraits.
• Richard Penderel (died 1672), Royalist. Sitter in 7 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Isaac Fuller (1606?-1672), Painter. Artist associated with 12 portraits, Sitter associated with 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The eldest son of Charles I was made Prince of Wales in 1638 during his his father's period of personal rule without Parliament. When Civil War broke out, the prince campaigned for the Royalist cause until he was sent abroad for his safety in 1646. Five years later he made the daring invasion of England which ended in disaster at the Battle of Worcester. This painting is one in a series of five pictures painted after he was restored to the throne in 1660 which tell of his dramatic escape after the battle. In the confusion after the Royalist defeat, the fugitive was guided to two remote houses, Whiteladies and Boscobel. In this, the first scene, Charles arrives at Whiteladies, and the Penderel family, tenants of the Giffards, disguise him as a woodman by cutting his hair short and dirtying his face and hands.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 116

Portrait setback to top

• Charles II's escape after the Battle of Worcester, 1651: paintings by Isaac Fuller, 1660s?

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Double portraits
• Landscapes