Unknown

Charles I, 1600 - 1649. Reigned 1625 - 1649 (The Execution of Charles I)

About this artwork

This painting, probably based on eye-witness accounts and contemporary engravings, records the execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649 at Whitehall, after a long and bitter civil war. The inset pictures on the left show Charles as he appeared at his trial, and below, Charles walking to the scaffold. Those on the right show the moments immediately after the execution: the axeman holds up Charles's severed head while spectators hurry to dip their handkerchiefs in royal blood. The central image, with the swooning woman, hints at a parallel with Christ's crucifixion.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    Charles I, 1600 - 1649. Reigned 1625 - 1649 (The Execution of Charles I)
  • date created:
    About 1649
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    163.20 x 296.80 cm; Framed: 316.86 x 182.24 x 6.98 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    On loan from Lord Dalmeny.
  • accession number:
    PGL 208
  • gallery:
  • depicted:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.