Softback Charles I: King and Collector

by Royal Academy of Arts

Charles King and Collector is a publication revealing one of Europe's most extraordinary art collections, assembled by King Charles I during his reign.

Genres: Art, History

Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is an art institution based in Burlington House in Piccadilly London, England.

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded 1768 by a group of 34 eminent artists and architects under the patronage of King George III.
Sir Joshua Reynolds was the primary driving force and served as its first President, while other key founding members included Thomas Gainsborough, Richard Wilson, Benjamin West, Angelica Kauffman, and Mary Moser.

The purpose of the Royal Academy is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the fine arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

Reviews

[Hugh Coverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Covid 19 still putting us in lockdown, I’m trying to finish books I’ve started, set aside to read other books, but need to finish. If one could not attend the wonderful exhibition in London of the re-assembled collection of the art amassed by Charles I—and I didn’t get to attend—this book is the next best thing. Filled with essays about the art collection (how it came in to being, all the persons involved in its creation, what art was included, and the various means by how it was acquired) and richly illustrated with chief works and masterpieces in it, I found I could only put down when at work or sleeping.

[Carlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well illustrated as you would expect from an exhibition catalogue (I attended at the Royal Academy in 2018), with numerous essays which help understand Charles I’s interest in collecting and commissioning art. I especially enjoyed Gregory Martin’s essay on Rubens, as it introduced a whole side of his life about which I had previously been unaware (or had forgotten).

I recently read Palaces of Revolution: Life, Death and Art at the Stuart Court by Simon Thurley and enjoyed being able to match up the art to royal buildings.