Art in England transformed: the court of Charles I
The art collection of King Charles I (1600-1649) was magnificent and hugely influential. Explore the artists, craftsmen, agents and connoisseurs who shaped one of the most important European art collections and learn about how objects and artists from across Europe made their way to London.
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- Start Date: 02 Jul 2025End Date: 02 Jul 2025Wed (Daytime): 13:30 - 15:30OnlineLocation: OnlineDuration: 1 sessionCourse Code: VB264Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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What is the course about?
Charles I formed one of the most significant art collections in British history and patronised famed artists from across Europe, including Anthony van Dyck and Peter Paul Rubens. He displayed the works at Whitehall Palace, creating entire galleries dedicated to prominent artists, and forming a Cabinet Room of small works of art. We will explore this collection, looking at how, with the help of a network of agents and connoisseurs across Europe, Charles procured some of the most significant works of art of the Northern and Italian Renaissance, including masterpieces by Titian, Raphael and Albrecht Dürer. Charles patronised many immigrants, and we will assess how these foreign artists and craftsmen had a lasting impact on British art.
Following Charles’s execution in 1649, the collection was inventoried and sold. This was the first major dispersal of a royal art collection in Europe and marks the very beginning stages of the art market as we know it today. This 2-hour online course will provide a glimpse into this collection, and will include a discussion of a range of objects, including paintings, portrait miniatures, prints, drawings, tapestries, and more.
What will we cover?
• Charles I as a collector and patron of the arts
• The networks of agents and connoisseurs who assisted in the formation of the collection
• The display of art at Whitehall Palace
• The immigrant artists he employed and their impact on British art
• The dispersal and sale of the collection
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of this course you should be able to:
· Discuss the significance of Charles I’s art collection
· Understand how British art was transformed in the seventeenth century
· Analyse the impact immigrant artists had on the development of art in Britain
· Give two examples of artists patronised by Charles I
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs. You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search 'Friday Lates' or 'Teatime Talks' for more short courses like this.
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Iconography and iconology: secrets of the old masters revealedFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00
