James, Duke of York, 1633-1701

This portrait shows James, Duke of York, later James II of England and VII of Scotland, painted by Henri Gascar in 1672. Its Baroque character is visible in the solemn pose and the theatrical staging: the prince wears Roman dress in the manner of Mars, god of war, a common way of presenting a ruler as a military leader. Behind him appears his flagship, the Royal Prince, placing the figure in a naval setting. This suits his role: as Lord High Admiral under his brother Charles II, he led the Royal Navy at the battles of Lowestoft (1665) and Solebay (1672) during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. The page boy on the right was traditionally identified as John Churchill, the future Duke of Marlborough, though by then Churchill was an adult serving on the continent, so that identification is doubtful. The painting now belongs to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

Painter

Henri Gascar

Date

1672

Medium

oil paint, canvas

Dimensions

229 × 162 cm

Museum

National Maritime Museum, Royal Borough of Greenwich

Genre

portrait

Depicts

James II of England

Share:FacebookWhatsApp