1 OF 142

King William III

1 of 142 portraits of King William III

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

King William III

after Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen)
oil on canvas, based on a work of 1657
29 1/2 in. x 22 in. (750 mm x 560 mm) overall
Purchased, 1868
Primary Collection
NPG 272

Sitterback to top

King William III (1650-1702), Reigned 1689-1702. Sitter associated with 142 portraits.

Artistback to top

Cornelius Johnson (Cornelius Janssen van Ceulen) (1593-1661), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 148 portraits, Sitter associated with 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

William's political position in the Republican Netherlands was insecure, and various portraits of him were commissioned to maintain support for his cause. In 1657, Johnson was commissioned to paint him, aged seven. There are various versions of this image, of differing sizes and quality. Probably the best is a three-quarter-length at Knole in Kent, which is signed and dated, in red paint, 'Cornelius Jonson / van Ceulen. / fecit. / 1657'. Others, like this example, must be by assistants in Johnson's Utrecht studio - among whom was his son Cornelius.

Linked publicationsback to top

Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 322
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 663

Subjects & Themesback to top

Oil
Painting

Events of 1657back to top

Current affairs

The Humble Petition and Advice, a revision of the constitution, offers Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell the crown. Proposals to bestow monarchical powers upon Cromwell may have stemmed from the influence of Chief Justice Oliver St John. Cromwell declines the crown.

Art and science

The pamphlet, Killing Noe Murder, accuses Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell of tyranny and advocates for his assassination. Published in Holland by agitator and later conspirator, Edward Sexby with the assistance of royalist Silius Titus, uncertainty surrounds the authorship of the pamphlet.
Oliver Cromwell establishes the General Post Office.

International

Admiral Robert Blake destroys a Spanish merchant fleet at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Victory in no way enriched England with Spanish bullion, however it established England's reputation as a leading European naval power, and strangled Spain's supply of wealth which halted its army.

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