ASSESSMENT PORTRAIT OF KING CHARLES I

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ASSESSMENTPORTRAIT OF KING CHARLES I

• Year 8 History.
• Sir Bernard Lovell School.

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Assessment. Symbolism in ArtA Portrait of
Charles I
Servant.
Charles.
Horse.
Foreground.
Background
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• Painted by Sir Anthony van Dyke in around 1632.

Why was it painted?
How has the artist shown that he is King?
How does Charles display his wealth?
How has the artist shown that Charles is in
control?
How has the artist made him look ready for
battle?
How has the artist shown that King Charles rules
by Divine Right?
Charles was a short man. How has the artist made
him look taller?
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Portrait of Charles I CLUES.
CHARLES Light on face? Commanding
expression? No helmet or crown? Armour? Sash and
medal? Lace collar? Boots? Baton? Stretched
legs? Position on horse?
SERVANT Position relative to Charles? Gazing in
admiration at his lord and master? Light reflects
from Charles face onto the servants? Red
costume? Lace? Carrying Charles helmet?
FOREGROUND Coat of arms? Crown? Cross?
HORSE Colour? Bridle? Saddle? Smaller
head? Symbol of strength and a weapon of war?
BACKGROUND Roman triumphal arch? Columns? Drapes?
Heaven (sky)?
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On his appointment as Principal Painter to
Charles I in 1632, the Flemish artist Van Dyke
was required to specialise in portraiture. This
is one of the chief paintings to result from his
appointment, which revolutionised British
painting and provided us with the enduring image
of the Stuart court. With great fluency Van Dyke
here portrays Charles I on horseback on an
unprecedented scale, as ruler, warrior and
knight. The prominent display of the crowned
royal arms and the triumphal arch framing the
armed King reinforce his image as ruler of Great
Britain, while the King's refined features, loose
hair and the sash of the Order of the Garter worn
over his armour convey the impression of a
chivalrous knight.
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The servant
Skilled horsemanship was important. Pierre
Antoine Bourdin, a master in the art of
horsemanship, carries the King's helmet. Sent by
Henry IV of France to King James I with a present
of six horses in 1603, he remained in the service
of the King and later of Charles I, as riding
master and equerry. He looks up at the King,
whose poise stabilises a scene filled with
movement.
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Other paintings of Charles by Van Dyke.
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• CHARLES I Assessment
• To reach a higher level on this assessment you
  need to
• Describe the painting in as much detail as
  possible.
• Explain the symbols that have been used e.g what
  does the arch mean or why is there light shining
  from heaven (divine right).
• Understand why the painting was done at this time
  (its historical context). It was a piece of
  royalist propaganda. Charles was arguing with
  Parliament. What were they arguing about? What
  was Charles trying to say with this painting?
• Independent research about Charles I or the
  artist would help.
• USE THE BLUE SHEET AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.