1. ASSESSMENT PORTRAIT OF KING CHARLES I Year 8 History. Sir Bernard Lovell School.

3. Charles. Servant. Foreground. Background Horse. Assessment. Symbolism in Art:A Portrait of Charles I

4. Why was it painted? Charles was a short man. How has the artist made him look taller? How has the artist made him look ready for battle? How does Charles display his wealth? How has the artist shown that Charles is in control? How has the artist shown that he is King? How has the artist shown that King Charles rules by Divine Right? Painted by Sir Anthony van Dyke in around 1632.

5. CHARLES: Light on face? Commanding expression? No helmet or crown? Armour? Sash and medal? Lace collar? Boots? Baton? Stretched legs? Position on horse? FOREGROUND: Coat of arms? Crown? Cross? BACKGROUND: Roman triumphal arch? Columns? Drapes? Heaven (sky)? 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? HORSE: Colour? Bridle? Saddle? Smaller head? Symbol of strength and a weapon of war? Portrait of Charles I – CLUES.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Other paintings of Charles by Van Dyke.

11. 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.