Artwork
Charles I (1600–1649)
Charles I (1600–1649) is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Daniël Mijtens. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This painting depicts a man with long, dark hair and a beard, wearing a black and gold striped jacket adorned with intricate embroidery.
This painting depicts a man with long, dark hair and a beard, wearing a black and gold striped jacket adorned with intricate embroidery. He has a white lace collar and a teal sash around his neck. The background is dark, with a red curtain draped behind him.
The man's attire and the painting's style suggest that it is a formal portrait from the 17th century. The level of detail in the embroidery and the lace collar indicates a high level of craftsmanship.
The subject of this painting is Charles I of England.
Overview
Around 1628 Dutch-born painter Daniël Mijtens produced an oil portrait of Charles I, who reigned as king of England from 1625 to 1649. The work is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection and exemplifies the courtly portraiture typical of the early Stuart period.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is Charles I, shown with long dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard, symbols of his royal status. The composition emphasizes his authority through sumptuous dress and a composed, forward‑looking gaze, reflecting the monarch’s self‑presentation as a dignified and cultured ruler.
Technique & Style
Mijtens employed a refined oil technique, rendering the black and gold striped jacket with meticulous embroidery and a crisp white lace collar. A teal sash encircles the king’s neck, while a dark background and a deep red curtain provide contrast, highlighting the figure’s three‑dimensionality and the painter’s attention to texture.
History & Provenance
After its creation in England, the portrait entered various private collections before being acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces the movement of royal portraiture from the Stuart court to public institutions.
Context
Mijtens, a member of a Flemish artistic family, worked extensively in England during the 1620s and 1630s, catering to the tastes of the Stuart court. The portrait aligns with contemporary European conventions of regal representation, combining elaborate costume with a restrained, dignified pose.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniël Mijtens (Dutch pronunciation: ; c. 1590 – 1647/48), known in England as Daniel Mytens the Elder, was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter belonging to a family of Flemish painters who spent the central years of…
