Maurice Quentin de la Tour

Prince Henry Benedict Clement Stuart, 1725 - 1807. Cardinal York; younger brother of Prince Charles Edward Stuart

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About this artwork

This work by la Tour depicts a charismatic and handsome young man in armour wearing the blue sash of the Order of the Garter. From around 1842 the sitter was identified as Prince Charles Edward Stuart. However, it is now considered to represent his younger brother, Prince Henry. Unlike his father, Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, and brother, Henry did not attempt to reclaim the throne and instead pursued a highly successful career as Cardinal York in the Roman Catholic Church. Both brothers sat for la Tour around 1746-8, and all subsequent portraits of Henry depict him in his cardinal’s robes. In late 1745 he went to France to support his brother, serving with the French army in 1746 - therefore, it is appropriate for him to have been presented in armour at this time.

Updated before 2020

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Maurice Quentin de la Tour

Maurice Quentin de la Tour