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 or producer 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.

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.