Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Elegant and full of self-confidence, the young Prince Rupert stands every inch a member of the royal Stuart dynasty. Known as Rupert of the Rhine, he bears a striking resemblance to his cousin the Prince of Wales, later Charles II. The portrait is designed to place us at his feet, and yet he looks directly at us, a technique common in paintings of royalty. But his gaze doesn't seem to engage us – he is above us, a distant being to be admired and revered.

During the English Civil War, Rupert fought in the Royalist army as a commander of cavalry. At first he met with great success but later, when he failed to hold the city of Bristol for Charles I, he was banished and returned to Europe. When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, Rupert became squadron commander in the Royal Navy, active in government and a leading member of the London social scene.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine

Date

about 1637

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 216 x W 133.3 cm

Accession number

NG6363

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Cornelia, Countess of Craven, 1965

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

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