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Bust of King Charles I

Bust of King Charles I is a sculptural bust by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, made for Charles I of England. The king commissioned the work for himself and sent Bernini a triple portrait painted by Anthony van Dyck as the basis for the sculpture. Although Bernini never traveled to London or met Charles face to face, the bust was considered a success in its time. According to one historian, it helped establish visual conventions for centuries and became a model of secular absolutist portraiture. Charles rewarded Bernini with jewelry worth more than 4,000 Roman scudi. Plans for a bust of Queen Henrietta Maria were stopped by the outbreak of the English Civil War. The original portrait is now lost, probably destroyed in the Whitehall Palace fire of 1698.

Bust of King Charles I with long wavy hair, a mustache, and a pointed goatee, wearing a lace collar.
Bust of King Charles I, shown in close-up with a lace collar and formal court dress.
© · Public domain
Bust of King Charles I with long wavy hair, a mustache, and a pointed goatee, wearing a lace collar and pearl earring.
Bust of King Charles I shown with long wavy hair, a lace collar, and a pearl earring.
© · Public domain
Profile portrait of King Charles I with long dark wavy hair, a pointed goatee, and a white collar.
King Charles I shown in profile with long dark hair, a pointed goatee, and a white collar.
© · Public domain
King Charles I shown in three portraits: left profile, frontal view, and right profile.
King Charles I depicted from three angles, including profile and frontal views.
© · Public domain

Identification

TitleBust of King Charles I
Original titleEl Busto del Rey Carlos I; O Busto do Rei Carlos I
TypePortrait bust

Creator

ArtistGian Lorenzo Bernini
Artist nationalityItalian

Historical context

Related historical figureOliver Cromwell, who defeated Charles I in the English Civil War
Later mistaken attributionIn the 19th and early 20th centuries, some believed Bernini also made a bust of Oliver Cromwell; this attribution was refuted in 1922
Reason the related work was abandonedThe outbreak of the English Civil War
Planned related workA companion bust of Henrietta Maria was planned
Historical interpretationAccording to one historian, it set the visual conventions for centuries and became the official portrait of secular absolutism
Subject's status at the timeKing of England
PatronHenrietta Maria, Queen of England
SubjectKing Charles I of England
Commissioned byCharles I of England

Creation

Artist's relationship to sitterBernini did not travel to London and did not know Charles I personally
Reward to artistJewelry and a diamond ring worth over 4,000 Roman scudi, said to be more than 60 times the average yearly salary of a worker in Rome
Model usedA specially made triple portrait painting of Charles I by Anthony van Dyck
Completion receptionConsidered a success at the time of creation; admired for its workmanship and likeness to the king

Discovery and provenance

StatusLost; very likely destroyed in the fire at Whitehall Palace in 1698
CopiesNumerous copies exist, including engravings and bronze sculptures
Later historySold at the end of the English Civil War, recovered for the Royal Collection at the Restoration, then destroyed
Destruction dateJanuary 1698
Destruction eventFire at Whitehall Palace
Motivation for sendingSent by Pope Urban VIII in the hope of encouraging reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England
Presented toHenrietta Maria in 1637

Other

Letter from the subject to the artistCharles I wrote to Bernini that the artist's name was "exalted above those of all men of talent who have exercised your profession."
CategoriesBernini busts; 17th-century sculptures; Works from the 1630s