17TH CENTURY ENGLISH PORTRAIT OF CHARLES 1ST DATED 1649 - BY DAVID DES GRANGES.

Fine, atmospheric and poignant portrait of King Charles1st  (1600-1649) signed and dated 1649 by by David Des Granges (1611-1671/2)

This rare and desirable portrait is likely based upon the final portrait of Charles 1st (1600 -1649) and his son, James Duke of York (1633 - 1701) painted by Sir Peter Lely. 

The King sat for Lely during his internment at Hampton Court Palace, and this powerful image of the King at the end of his life was the inspiration for the production of images and poetry since its commission in the autumn of 1647.

The Kings likeness was replicated by numerous artists but the superior quality of this rendering, and also the fact that it is signed and dated by a recorded artist in the year of the monarchs death, make it a remarkable discovery.

David Des Granges (1611-1671/2)                                      Des Granges was baptised in London on 24 May 1611 in the French Huguenot church, and he later converted to Catholicism. The first trace of his activity is in two engravings which are dated 1627-8. 

In 1636 he married Judith Hoskins, who was a niece of John Hoskins and thus also of Samuel Cooper both miniaturists. This helps explain why Des Granges was principally a miniaturist, however he occasionally also painted portraits and small-scale replicas of famous paintings in British collections such as the one offered here. 

In 1651 he was appointed his Majesty's limner in Scotland. In 1671 he petitioned the Treasury for £72 still owing to him for thirteen works painted in 1651; in it he said he was in ill health, and his failing eye-sight made him unable to continue supporting his family (J.Burtt, 'The Fine Arts Quarterly Review', I 1866, pp.446-8). 

One unnoticed reference to him has been discovered by Christopher Lennox-Boyd in 'Mercurius Politicus' for 22/9 July 1658: 'There is one David Des Grange that has been known these many years in the art of miniature or limning, by the life, or copying, approved to be none of the worst ... his lodging is, which is at one Mr Palmer's a gunsmith in the Strand, right against the Fountain Tavern'. 

Several miniatures also signed with his initials DDG are known, and these date from 1639 onwards. Relatively large scale works such as the one offered here are rare and desirable, and this portrait os signed and awed by the artist 1649 the year ion the Kings death. 

This painting is offered in an excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang it a fine 18th century carved and gilded frame.

Higher resolution images on request.                                                  Worldwide shipping available

Canvas: 25” x  20" / 64cm x 51cm.                                                                Frame: 28” x 24” / 144cm x 118cm.

SOLD