Charles II – Art and Power

Fascinating exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery looking at the art collection of Charles II.

I managed to do this on the same day as the Charles I show at the Royal Academy which filled the slight gap, in turn created by that exhibition, of how Charles II regathered his father’s collection. It was mentioned and it was lovely to see some of the proclamations asking for it back, however there were few examples of what he reacquired because they were on the other side of Green Park!

Instead this show focused on what Charles II collected for himself dividing the two main rooms into contemporary art and older works. It was nice to see Dutch art entering the collection following his exile there during the Commonwealth. I loved the room of contemporary work with not only some of Lely’s Windsor Beauties but also their complimentary set of sea captains and admirals commissioned by the Duke of York.
 
The first section looking at Charles flight from England and restoration was fascinating. It was interesting to see how he reived ceremonies such as the Order of the Garter and the King’s Touch to re-establish the idea of monarchy. Also to see how he used the printing techniques to spread his image enabling ordinary people to have a picture of him to pin to the wall. It also looked at opposition to his reign and I loved the set of playing cards with the main players in the Rye House Plot.
 
Closes on 13 May 2018
 
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