| Method | Copper engraving |
| Artist | [Anonymous] |
| Published | c. 1637 |
| Dimensions | Image 155 x 108 mm, Plate 159 x 113 mm, Sheet 222 x 152 mm |
| Notes |
A rare portrait of King Charles II as a young boy, titled as "prince de la grande bretagne det Irlande Duc de Cornuaille." a term used until he became Prince of Wales in May 1638. The young king is depicted wearing a coat with a large lace collar and a sash over his shoulder, a hunting scene in the background behind a curtain. The portrait is set within an oval with a coat of arms and a laurel wreath above and title in French below. One of two copies in reverse of a portrait attributed to William Faithorne of Charles II as Duke of Cornwall (O'Donoghue 18), this particular portrait can be distinguished from the one in the British Museum collection (O'Dononghue 19) by the addition of the coat of arms and a laurel wreath above, the only institutional copies we could trace are in the Royal Collection (RCIN 602335) and Morgan Libraray & Museum (MA 10044). King Charles II (1630-1685), Reigned 1660-85, Charles's father, Charles I, was executed in 1649 and a republic, led by Oliver Cromwell, was declared in England. Charles fled to France in 1651 and remained in exile for nine years. After the Protectorate collapsed in 1659, Charles was invited to return to England and, with limitations on his powers, assumed the throne in 1660. This return of the monarchy is known as the Restoration. Charles II became adept at outmanoeuvring the opposition to his policies, particularly in matters of religion and foreign affairs. His court was notorious for its easy-going morality; he had fourteen children by various mistresses, but no legitimate heir. He converted to Roman Catholicism on his deathbed and was succeeded by his Catholic brother James. O'Dononghue undescribed but appears to be a variant state of O'Donoghue 19 with the Order of the Garter in the upper left corner of the plate and a laurel wreath in the upper right corner both above the image. Another impression is on an album sheet in the Royal Collection with portraits of Charles II as a child. Condition: Good clean impression. Two light stains to bottom left margin. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £150.00 |
| Stock ID | 52599 |