Famous equestrian portrait of Charles II before London
Potentiss. ac Sereniss. D.D. Carolus II. Angliae, Scotiae, Franciae, Ac Hiberniae Rex.
Amsterdam, Clement de Jonghe, c.1660. Etching. 525 x 415mm.
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Description
A fine portrait of Charles II published as a propaganda piece at the Restoration of the English monarchy after the collapse of the Commonwealth. He sits clad in armour on a warhorse, on a hill looking north to London, showing the city just before the Great Fire of London in 1666. The Norman St Paul's Cathedral can be seen just behind the horse, and the heads of criminals decorate the gatehouse of London Bridge.
Under the view is a four-line verse in English, Dutch, French and German: the English version starts 'Behold the greatest King that ever England saw'.
By 1714 the plate had been re-engraved to show both George I and Wren's new St Paul's Cathedral.