King Charles I

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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King Charles I

by Robert White, printed and sold by John King, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1685 (1636)
18 5/8 in. x 14 1/8 in. (473 mm x 358 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D26318

Sitterback to top

  • King Charles I (1600-1649), Reigned 1625-49. Sitter associated with 335 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • John King (active 1698-1759), Printseller and publisher. Artist or producer associated with 33 portraits.
  • Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 1023 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.
  • Robert White (1645-1703), Engraver. Artist or producer associated with 608 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This print is based on a portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck painted during the period of the king's rule without Parliament during the 1630s. The Flemish artist painted Charles repeatedly, presenting him both as a God-appointed ruler and a sensitive, refined individual. Here, the engraver has framed the king's portrait with a wreath of palm leaves and laurel. Cherubs holding martyr's palms crown him with a celestial crown. The Latin inscription Non Eripienda ('Not to be removed') refers to the eternal, incorruptible nature of the king's heavenly crown.

Placesback to top

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1685back to top

Current affairs

Charles II dies, his heir, Catholic brother, James II, succeeds to the throne. Despite deep distrust by many Protestants, he initially experiences unexpected popularity.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, leads the Monmouth Rebellion ambitious to seize the throne. Following his defeat at Sedgemoor, Monmouth is executed at Tower Hill.

Art and science

Opera Universa, by physician Thomas Sydenham, considered the father of English medicine, is published in London.
Organist, Henry Purcell composes, My heart is inditing, for the coronation of James II and his queen, Mary of Modena.
Writer on dentistry, Charles Allen publishes the earliest known English book on dentistry.

International

The Edict of Fontainebleau is issued by Louis XIV revoking the Edict of Nantes which gave Huguenots a right to practice their religion, free from persecution. Although Huguenots had steadily left France since the Dragonnades in 1681, this edict essentially ended official religious toleration in France.

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