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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 56, The Djanogly Gallery

James I (1566-1625)

Portrait Miniature
1612-1614 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
Miniatures were particularly suited to representations of the monarchy. They offered a precious image of the King that was small enough to be awarded personally by him in a public ceremony, They could be worn to mark the King's favour and the courtier's loyalty.

People
When James VI of Scotland (ruled 1567-1625) became James I of England in 1603, he offered the nation the security of unquestioned dynastic roots. His mother, Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), was a great granddaughter of Henry VII of England (ruled 1485-1509). He offered a hopeful dynastic future in the form of his young heir, Prince Henry (1594-1612); he also had a marriageable daughter, Princess Elizabeth (1596-1662). James embraced the miniature portrait as a way of promoting the new Stuart dynasty.

Nicholas Hilliard (possibly born in 1547, died 1619) had painted many miniatures of Elizabeth I, but did not seem to enjoy producing miniatures of the new King. James I was less physically attractive than his predecessor. He also disliked sitting for his portrait. Hilliard probably had only a few sittings with the King between his accession in 1603 and his own death in 1619. From these original miniatures Hilliard was expected to produce endless repetitions for the King to give away as gifts. Many of these are of poor quality. They are either by a very uninspired Hilliard or, as in this case, probably by an assistant.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleJames I (1566-1625) (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Watercolour on vellum, with frame of ebony on oak
Brief description
Nicholas Hilliard, Portrait of James I. This miniature is one of six portraits of James I and his family mounted in one frame: James I; Anne of Denmark; Henry, Prince of Wales; Prince Charles, later Charles I; Frederick, Elector Palatine and later King of Bohemia, son-in-law of James I; Elizabeth of Bohemia, daughter of James I. (see entries for P.147-152-1910).
Physical description
Portrait miniature
Dimensions
  • Frame height: 27.5cm
  • Frame width: 19.4cm
  • Frame depth: 2.7cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 23/04/1999 by DW
Gallery label
British Galleries: MINIATURES OF THE ROYAL FAMILY
Probably framed together 1625-1650
James I's young family, celebrated in this group of miniatures, offered hope of a secure dynasty. Prince Henry, James I's elder son, was a noted patron of artists, who died suddenly aged 18. Miniatures were given as personal gifts and were small enough to be worn to mark a courtier's loyalty.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
The Salting Bequest
Object history
Painted in the London studio of Nicholas Hilliard
Summary
Object Type
Miniatures were particularly suited to representations of the monarchy. They offered a precious image of the King that was small enough to be awarded personally by him in a public ceremony, They could be worn to mark the King's favour and the courtier's loyalty.

People
When James VI of Scotland (ruled 1567-1625) became James I of England in 1603, he offered the nation the security of unquestioned dynastic roots. His mother, Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), was a great granddaughter of Henry VII of England (ruled 1485-1509). He offered a hopeful dynastic future in the form of his young heir, Prince Henry (1594-1612); he also had a marriageable daughter, Princess Elizabeth (1596-1662). James embraced the miniature portrait as a way of promoting the new Stuart dynasty.

Nicholas Hilliard (possibly born in 1547, died 1619) had painted many miniatures of Elizabeth I, but did not seem to enjoy producing miniatures of the new King. James I was less physically attractive than his predecessor. He also disliked sitting for his portrait. Hilliard probably had only a few sittings with the King between his accession in 1603 and his own death in 1619. From these original miniatures Hilliard was expected to produce endless repetitions for the King to give away as gifts. Many of these are of poor quality. They are either by a very uninspired Hilliard or, as in this case, probably by an assistant.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Graham Reynolds, 'Portraits by Nicholas Hilliard and his Assistants of King James I and his Family', The Volume of the Walpole Society, vol. 34, 1952, pp. 14–26
Collection
Accession number
P.147-1910

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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