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1 of 253523 objects
Copy after Sir Peter Lely (1618-80)
Charles II (1630-85) c.1672-1750
Oil on panel | 30.0 x 20.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 404136
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This is a copy by an unknown artist of a portrait by Sir Peter Lely. It depicts Charles II standing against a pillar and curtain, wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter. The tall plumed hat is not shown in most other portraits of the King in Garter robes. At Lely's death there were seventeen copies of portraits of the King in his studio, but remarkably it appears that Charles II did not own a finished portrait of himself by the artist who was so associated with the Restoration court.
A label on the back of the portrait has ducal arms, a shield and triton supporters and reads 'UNG DIEU UNG ROY', 'One God One King', which is the motto of William Henry, 1st Baron Lyttelton, and 1st Baron Westcost, of Frankley (1724-1808).
The original portrait was engraved by William Sherwin and published in Elias Ashmole's 'The Institution, Laws and Ceremonies of the Most Noble Order of the Garter' of 1672. Two versions of the print are in the Royal Collection (RCIN 602614 and 602615)
Provenance
Presented to Queen Mary by Sir Arthur Lee of Chequer's Court, 1917, and given by her to the Royal Collection
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Creator(s)
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Medium and techniques
Oil on panel
Measurements
30.0 x 20.5 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
41.8 x 32.6 x 4.1 cm (frame, external)
Other number(s)
OM add-LelyAlternative title(s)
Charles II(1630-1685) in Garter robes
