PUTTING YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD: Charles I in Three Positions by Anthony van Dyck

CHARLES I IN THREE POSITIONS by Anthony van Dyck, 1636, Oil on canvas, 84.4 cm (33.2 in) x 99.4 cm (39.1 in)
THIS PAINTING IS AVAILABLE AS A HANDMADE OIL REPRODUCTION FROM 1ST ART GALLERY: www.1st-art-ga...
ABOUT THIS PAINTING: This is one of those curiosities of art history. It’s called, “Charles I in Three Positions,” by painter Anthony van Dyck. It wasn’t intended as a stand alone piece of artwork but as a reference for a proposed bust of the king.
As court painter Van Dyck had painted Charles numerous times, and other members of the royal family. He is also know for his many religious works.
The painting may have been influenced by an earlier work, Triple Portrait of a Goldsmith, by Lorenzo Lotto. Side note: Van Dyke’s work my have inspired this Triple Portrait of Cardinal Richelieu by Philippe de Champaigne.
Van Dyck’s portrait shows Charles from three angles, face forward, in profile and in three-quarter view. The colors and lace collars are different in all three aspects, although the blue riband, the Order of the Garter is present in each.
The painting was sent to the sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini as reference for a bust commissioned by Pope Urbanus the VIII.
The pope desired a reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, which was founded by Henry the VIII a century earlier, in protest to the Catholic Church’s refusal to grant Henri a divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.
Pope Urbanus found an ally in Charles, and the bust an offering to cement their new understanding.
Charles was wildly despised by the English people. Partially because he imposed onerous new taxes, as well as his intention to reunite England with the Catholic Church.
When the sculptor, Bernini saw Van Dyck’s work for the first time, he proclaimed it "the portrait of a doomed man.”
Twelve years late Charles I was tried and executed for treason.
Bernini’s bust of Charles I was destroyed in a fire at Whitehall Palace in 1698.
Van Dyck’s painting remained with the estate of Bernini until 1802 when it was sold to a British art dealer and eventually into the possession of Royal Collection, and now usually on display at Windor Castle.
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[@nancybenson8516]

I appreciate the historical background which lends such important context to the art. Well stated and presented in such a professional manner!

[@mandobanjoguitar]

Larry you the man!

[@phoenixswanson1561]

0:44 - Charles - "I wonder what he would think if he knew I was Rhys."

[@kaneqangut]

Alo