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Pierre Lombard (1613-1682), Charles I - Oliver Cromwell. Oliverius Magnae Britanniae, Hiberniae et Totus Anglici, c.1660]; Carolius I Dei Gratia Magae Britanniae, Franciae et Hiberniae Rex, c.1660]; each 55 x 37cm Note: These two prints from a celebrated series illustrate the changing taste and political priorities in the art market. The image is popularly known as the -Headless Horseman-. Just before the Restoration of 1660, Pierre Lombart made his plate of Oliver Cromwell. Sara Stevenson writes that Lombart was thus -caught just before the arrival of Charles II with, at best, an unfortunate choice of subject.- Cromwell s head and the identifying text below the image were speedily removed and Charles I was substituted, the royal collar and the page s breeches being made more dressy and an attempt being made to give the King the badge of the Order of the Garter. The entire composition is based upon a famous Van Dyck of Charles I which had become an icon of Stuart and subsequent Jacobite imagery.

Estimate Price: £ 200 - £ 400

The Knightsbridge Fine Art and Objet Sale