Execution of King Charles I (includes portraits of Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron; Oliver Cromwell)

1 portrait of Oliver Cromwell

Identify sitters

© National Portrait Gallery, London

2 Likes voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation

Execution of King Charles I (includes portraits of Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron; Oliver Cromwell)

by Unknown artist, published by Francoys van Beusekom
line engraving, circa 1650
16 5/8 in. x 20 1/2 in. (423 mm x 522 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1963
Reference Collection
NPG D33017

Sittersback to top

Artistsback to top

This portraitback to top

This unusual print was produced in the Netherlands for the Dutch market. The upper register appears to show personifications of European states paying homage to the dead king below portraits of Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax. The central scene copies Theatrum Tragicum, the earliest engraved depiction of Charles I's execution. The narrative scenes either side visually echo episodes from the last days of Jesus Christ - his entry into Jerusalem, agony in the garden, trial and last supper.

Placesback to top

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1650back to top

Current affairs

Exiled Charles, Prince of Wales, holds negotiations in the Netherlands, with the Scottish Parliament to secure an alliance. Despite misgivings on both sides, and pressure from the Scots for Charles to sign the covenants, the treaty of Breda is agreed.
Oliver Cromwell defeats the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar.

Art and science

Poet and politician, Andrew Marvell, composes his greatest political poem, Horatian Ode upon Cromwell's Return from Ireland. Marvell become Oliver Cromwell's unofficial poet laureate during the Protectorate.

International

William, The Prince of Orange, grandson of Charles I, is born assuming the title from the moment of birth. Forty years later, he would become William III of England.
General-at-Sea, Robert Blake is dispatched to Portugal to prevent attacks on Commonwealth merchant shipping from royalist, Prince Rupert, based in Lisbon.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.