Charles I
1650
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1650
oil
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Charles I is a 1650 oil by Daniel Mytens, a Flemish Baroque painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a man in a dark, rich coat with gold buttons and a fancy white lace collar. His hair is curly, his beard neatly trimmed, and he’s looking straight ahead with a calm expression. The background is plain and shadowy, keeping all focus on him. The artist used soft lighting to make his face stand out against the dark backdrop. The way the light hits his collar and cheek gives it a three-dimensional look. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this lighting trick works.
The portrait depicts Charles I dressed in an elaborate costume accented by a blue sash, set against a backdrop of red drapery and a stone wall. Acquired in 1892 from the sale of Edward Peacock’s collection, the work was purchased as one of four "Costume Pictures" for £5-5-0. The painting entered the collection as part of a group of works associated with Peacock, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.
Read the full account in the museum source.
This artist painted official portraits of 17th-century European rulers in crisp detail.
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