King William III
1 of 142 portraits of King William III
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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
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
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