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King Richard III

(1452-1485), Reigned 1483-85

Sitter 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.

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King Richard III with a broken sword, by unknown artist - NPG L266

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

King Richard III, by Unknown artist - NPG 148

King Richard III

by Unknown artist
oil on panel, late 16th century
On display in Room 1 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 148

King Richard III, possibly by William Faithorne - NPG D23822

King Richard III

possibly by William Faithorne
line engraving, probably 17th century
NPG D23822

King Richard III, by Jodocus Hondius, after  Unknown artist - NPG D21257

King Richard III

by Jodocus Hondius, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1611
NPG D21257

King Richard III, probably by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), after  Unknown artist - NPG D21255

King Richard III

probably by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke), after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1638 (1618)
NPG D21255

King Richard III, by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke) - NPG D23818

King Richard III

by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1638
NPG D23818

King Richard III, sold by Sir Robert Peake, probably after  William Faithorne - NPG D21256

King Richard III

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 - NPG D22809

King Henry VII; King Richard III

probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22809

King Richard III, by Hall - NPG D23821

King Richard III

by Hall
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23821

The Sovereigns of England, part 2, by John Carwitham, printed and published by  Richard Caldwell, after  Unknown artist - NPG D34142

The Sovereigns of England, part 2

by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34142

King Richard III, by Sébastien Pinssio, after  J. Robert - NPG D23820

King Richard III

by Sébastien Pinssio, after J. Robert
line engraving, mid 18th century
NPG D23820

King Richard III, by George Vertue - NPG D20033

King Richard III

by George Vertue
line engraving, engraved 1735
NPG D20033

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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.