King Richard III
(1452-1485), Reigned 1483-85Sitter associated with 27 portraits
Richard III was the last Yorkist king of England. He was a staunch supporter of his elder brother Edward IV against the Lancastrians. However, after Edward's death he steadily assumed power during the minority of Edward V, and was crowned king in his place. His coronation followed the disappearance of the young Edward and his brother, Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, from the Tower of London. It was rumoured that Richard had slain the boys. He was famously depicted by Shakespeare as 'Crookback' and since the discovery of his body we know that he had scoliosis. He ruled from 1483 until his death two years later, killed by the Lancastrian army of Henry Tudor (later Henry VII) at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
King Richard III with a broken sword
by unknown artist
oil or tempera on panel, 1530-1562
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L266
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, 1597-1618
NPG 4980(12)
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D23822
King Edward IV, King Edward V, King Richard III
by Jodocus Hondius
line engraving, 1610
NPG D23857
by Jodocus Hondius, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1611
NPG D21257
probably by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1638 (1618)
NPG D21255
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1638
NPG D23818
sold by Sir Robert Peake, probably after William Faithorne
etching, early 1640s
NPG D21256
King Henry VII; King Richard III
probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22809
King Edward IV; King Edward V; King Richard III
after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1677
NPG D34138
after Unknown artist
woodcut, published 1684
NPG D23930
by Hall
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23821
by Grignion
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23941
The Sovereigns of England, part 2
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34142
by Sébastien Pinssio, after J. Robert
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D23820
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1732
NPG D23812
by George Vertue
line engraving, engraved 1735
NPG D20033
probably by John Dixon
line engraving, 1757
NPG D23813
Related People
- Anne Neville, Queen of England (wife)
- Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy (sister)
- King Edward IV (brother)
- King Edward V (nephew)
- Edward (of Middleham), Prince of Wales (son)
- Elizabeth of York (niece)
- George, Duke of Clarence (brother)
- Richard, Duke of York and Duke of Norfolk (nephew)
- Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury (niece)
- Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York (father)
- Cecily (née Neville), Duchess of York (mother)
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Leslie Croce
24 February 2018, 03:35
Regarding "He was famously depicted by Shakespeare as 'Crookback' but contemporary evidence of his physical appearance is not conclusive," you might want to mention that since the discovery of King Richard's body we know that he had scoliosis.