Who painted Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685)?

Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685) was painted by Samuel Cooper in 1665.

Where can I see Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685)?

Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685) is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685)?

Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685) is associated with Barbizon school.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685)?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685)

Samuel Cooper , 1665

Portrait of Charles II Stuart (1630-1685) is an unspecified painting by the Barbizon school artist Samuel Cooper. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The miniature, housed in the Rijksmuseum, underscores the significance of portraiture in conveying status and identity within 17th‑century European art.

The painting depicts Charles II Stuart, monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland, rendered as a miniature portrait on parchment. Samuel Cooper created the work in 1665, capturing the king's regal authority through detailed facial features and contemporary court dress. Its symbolism emphasizes royal legitimacy and the Stuart lineage, reflecting the political climate of the Restoration period.

The miniature, housed in the Rijksmuseum, underscores the significance of portraiture in conveying status and identity within 17th‑century European art.

Technique & Style

Samuel Cooper executed this 1665 portrait as a miniature on parchment, measuring 17.2 by 13.4 cm. The use of parchment as a support, rather than the more common vellum or ivory associated with miniatures of the period, reflects a deliberate material choice that would have influenced the work's surface absorption and luminosity. As a miniature portrait, the piece exemplifies the genre's demand for meticulous handling and fine detail, hallmarks of Cooper's reputation as a leading practitioner in this specialized format. The work's classification as both painting and miniature underscores its position within the broader tradition of portrait miniatures while maintaining the individualized characterization expected of elite court portraiture.

History & Provenance

Samuel Cooper executed this miniature portrait on parchment in 1665. The work depicts Charles II Stuart, who lived from 1630 to 1685. While specific details regarding the original commission or the immediate ownership chain following its creation are not provided in the available records, the painting's inception is firmly established within the mid-17th century.

The artwork eventually entered a major public collection, where it is currently held jointly by the Rijksmuseum and the Mauritshuis. These institutions preserve the piece as part of their respective holdings, maintaining its status as a significant example of Cooper's portraiture from this period.

This miniature portrait of Charles II Stuart, executed in 1665 on parchment, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. While some records associate the work with the Mauritshuis, the primary location listed is the Rijksmuseum. The source data does not provide a specific inventory or accession number for the piece. Furthermore, no exhibition history is documented in the available records for this specific artwork.

Context

Samuel Cooper created this portrait of Charles II Stuart in 1665, depicting the monarch during his early reign when artistic representation emphasized regal authority and refined elegance. The work belongs to the tradition of court portraiture that flourished in Restoration England, reflecting contemporary ideals of power and permanence through meticulous detail and symbolic composition. Samuel Cooper's specialization in miniature painting established him as a pivotal figure in 17th-century European portraiture, influencing contemporaries and successors through his innovative approach to scale and realism.

This portrait is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, ensuring its preservation and scholarly accessibility as a key example of the period's artistic achievements.

Overview

This portrait is a miniature painting on parchment, created by Samuel Cooper in 1665. It depicts Charles II Stuart, who ruled England from 1660 to 1685.