Sir Anthony Van Dyck
Portrait of Sir William Killigrew (1638)
Tate
The Stuarts were the first kings of the United Kingdom. King James I of England who began the period was also King James VI of Scotland, thus combining the two thrones for the first time. But the term ‘Stuart’ is usually used in relation to the reigns of Charles I (reigned 1625–49) and Charles II (reigned 1660 –1685).
The Stuart dynasty reigned in England and Scotland from 1603 to 1714, a period which saw a flourishing Court culture – was notorious for its pleasure-loving sensuality – but also much upheaval and instability, of plague, fire and war.
Charles I was the greatest collector and patron of the arts in the history of the British monarchy. He brought Peter Paul Rubens (Baroque) to London and then his great pupil and rival Sir Anthony Van Dyck, who was court painter from 1632 to his death in 1641, the year of the outbreak of the Civil War.
This tour is delivered in BSL by guide Alan Murray, with voice over interpretation by Richard Law.
If you have any other access needs that you would like to let us know about please contact: Anna Murray, Assistant Curator: Access anna.murray@tate.org.uk or call +44 (0)20 7887 8888