This is gallery will compare and contrast royal portraits in Europe and royal portraits from other parts of the world. The portraits in Europe are all very staged and you can tell that special consideration, as everything they wear shows their status and power. The Royal portraits of from Africa focus more on the face. They portray a harsh ruler and the facial expressions and poses show their power, not the clothes they wear. The portrait of the Asian royal family shows the has the clothes show their power, but all together the portrait is more relaxed.It seems to be a good representation of everyday life for the royal family.
Maria II, Queen of Portugal, Sir Thomas Lawrence (Bristol, 1769-London, 1830), and completed by a studio assistant?, 1829/1831, From the collection of: National Palace of Queluz
Queen Maria II was the daughter of King Pedro IV who became the first King of Brazil. She became Queen at a young age after being married to her uncle who started a reign of terror before she could lead. he was quickly abdicated and at the age of 15 she took the thrown. She is wearing a sash of green and red, the colors of Portugal and is wearing many of what appear to be gold pins to show her status. These pins are believed to be coats of arms. She is a mere 10 years old in this portrait.
Jane Seymour, Queen of England, Hans Holbein the Younger, 1536, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Jane Seymour was King Henry VIII's third wife. She was the first one of his wife to bear him a legitimate son, an heir to the throne. In the portrait she is wearing he signature necklace. She is wearing Henrican court clothing and the detail is immaculate. Holbein also painted the king and similar detail was in his clothing. The queen seems very stern and almost as if she is awaiting something here. Perhaps the birth of an heir to the throne.
Charles I (1600-49), Sir Anthony Van Dyck, 1635 - Before June 1636, From the collection of: Royal Collection Trust, UK
Charles I ruled the United Kingdom from 1625-1649 when he was executed. This is one of his most famous portraits. It is an oil painting and shows him front on and each profile view. In each portrait he is wearing a different outfit and lace collar. However, he is wearing the same medallion in each. The medallion was the Order of the Garter and is the highest order of chivalry in England.
Philip IV, King of Spain, Velázquez, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y, 1644-60, From the collection of: Dulwich Picture Gallery
King Phillip IV posed for this painting while on a military prowess. Velazquez was his court painter and in the King's entourage for the military campaign. This was painted in a hut that Velazquez set up specially for the painting. The clothing he is wearing was special for the military campaign. Although he painted many portraits of the King, this is thought to be the only one Velazquez painted of Phillip from the 1640's.
Portrait of Mulay Ahmad, Jan Cornelisz. Vermeyen, circa 1535 - 1536, From the collection of: Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Mulay Ahmad was the Sultan of Morocco. He only briefly held the throne from 1726-1727. This work was a sketch done of Mulay Ahmad by Jan Cornelisz. The sketch was believed to be in Peter Paul Rubens own collection, when he himself painted Mulay Ahmad based on this sketch. Though his painting came many years after Mulay Ahmad's death and was highly idealized.
John Faber, William Ansa Sasraku, mezzotint after a painting by Gabriel Mathias (died 1803), 1749/1749, From the collection of: British Museum
Originally from Ghana, the son of a diplomat, who did work with England, William Ansa was mistakenly sold into slavery in Barbados. After not hearing from his his father and other diplomats thought him dead. Once he was retuned, in England he was known as The Royal African and taught of concerns of transatlantic trade. This portrait of him was after his return to England and he is wearing traditional diplomatic garb. While in England he received special treatment and that is most likely the only reason for the portrait.
Upper part of a Statue of King Thutmose III, Unknown, 1504 BC - 1452 BC, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
King Thutmose III was the Pharaoh of Egypt during the 18th dynasty. He was thought to be a very strong but harsh ruler, as he destroyed most artwork of his family members upon ascending the throne. His gaze is very harsh are cold, although also showing his power. This bust is one of only a few remaining ones from his reign.
Portrait of Royal Family, Saya Saw, Late 19th century to early 20th century, From the collection of: Fukuoka Asian Art Museum
This painting of an Asian Royal family is very well painted. It reflects the painting style there of about 100 years ago with clean lines and bright colors. The portrait is of the King and Queen and their three children. the daughter on theft hand side appears to be the heir to the throne because she is the only child with a crown on.
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