Five Eldest Children of Charles I
1637
Anthony van Dyck captured the future of the English monarchy here, but with a twist of playful chaos. The young Prince Charles II stands front and center in a striking red suit, casually resting his hand on a massive, gentle mastiff that dominates the scene. To his left, his siblings look on in pristine gowns, while on the right, a toddler holds a baby, completely ignoring the giant dog. Van Dyck was the ultimate celebrity portraitist of his day, making these royal kids look both dignified and delightfully human. Look closely at the bottom right corner—that tiny spaniel is the namesake for the King Charles Spaniel breed, named after this very boy when he became king!
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: Royal Collection Trust
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