Portrait of King Charles I of England, Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641) Follower

Portrait of Charles I, King of England (1600 – 49)

Anthoon van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641) Follower of

Oil painting on canvas

99 x 89 cm. – In antique frame 118 x 106 cm.

FULL DETAILS OF THE WORK (CLICK HERE)

We share a valuable work, an oil painting on canvas that recalls the famous 'Portrait of Charles I of England on Horseback' created by Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 – London 1641) around 1636 and now exhibited in the National Gallery in London: it is a masterpiece of Baroque portraiture that stands out for its majestic composition (Imm.1).

There is a smaller-scale version, probably his preparatory “model”, still in the Royal Collection (Windsor Castle) today, executed by Van Dyck between 1635 and 1636 with slight pentimenti and anatomical variations or in the position of the armour (Imm.2).

Van Dyck had arrived in London a few years earlier, in 1632, where he was elected court painter to King Charles I of England, his principal patron and a great collector. The king understood the incredible power of art as a means of political propaganda, and for this reason he had himself painted by Van Dyck on numerous occasions, both surrounded by his family, with his wife Henrietta, and alone.

The most ambitious and fascinating portraits, however, are those from the 'equestrian series', where the artist offered a proud and majestic image of an absolute monarch: we see him immortalised on horseback, on an unprecedented scale, as sovereign, warrior and knight, in the long tradition of ancient and Renaissance equestrian monuments.

In addition to the painting mentioned, Van Dyck painted two other important portraits of the king on horseback: the 'Portrait of Charles I with M. de Saint-Antonie his riding master' (1636, Windsor Castle, Windsor) and the 'Le Roi à la Chasse' (c. 1635, Paris, Louvre).

In our case, Van Dyck, inspired by Titian's Portrait of Charles V on Horseback (1548, Prado Museum, Madrid), portrayed the king in his parade armor, with his baton and the medallion of the Order of the Garter around his neck, as if he were placing himself at the head of his knights. Following him is a page holding his helmet. On the tree is a plaque which, although the writing in our painting is now barely legible, bore the king's name: 'Carlvs Rex Magnae Britanniae'.

The magnificent horse, with its visibly accentuated powerful muscles, serves as a worthy companion for the king, immortalized at a walk, with one hoof raised and his gaze firmly directed in the same direction as the rider. The unique composition, with the trees in the background, places the sovereign's gaze at the center of the scene, projecting itself toward the open landscape, symbolizing his farsightedness.

These elements reinforce his image as the ruler of Great Britain, while his refined features, loose hair and gentle, thoughtful expression convey the impression of a chivalrous knight.

The success of the work encouraged its widespread diffusion, so much so that today numerous replicas are known, made by artists from Van Dyck's workshop or active at a later time, to please some clients who wished to have the effigy of the monarch for their residences as a clear sign of loyalty to the sovereign dynasty.

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Image 1 – Anthony van Dyck, Portrait of Charles I on Horseback
1636, oil on canvas, 367 x 292 cm.
National Gallery of London
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/anthony-van-dyck-equestrian-portrait-of-charles-i

Image 2 – Anthony van Dyck, Portrait of Charles I on Horseback (preparatory model)
1635, oil on canvas, 96 x 86 cm.
Windsor Castle
https://www.rct.uk/collection/400571/charles-i-1600-49-on-horseback

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is complete with an antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet.

We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the gallery in Riva del Garda, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

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