King James I (James VI of Scotland) (1566–1625) as a Boy, aged 8 (after Arnold van Bronckhorst)
Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1592
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1143 x 699 mm (45 x 27½ in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129115
Caption
James I (IV of Scotland) was the son of Mary Queen of Scots and Henry, Lord Darnley. He acceded to the throne of Scotland on 24 July 1567 and was crowned in Stirling on 29 July 1567. He acceded to the English throne on 24 March 1603 and was later crowned in Westminster Abbey on 25 July 1603. He was married by proxy in 1589 to Anne of Denmark (1574-1619), second daughter of Frederick II, King of Denmark and Norway. This portrait was probably painted for Bess of Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, by Rowland Lockey, who executed various other works for her. It is listed in the 1601 inventory of Hardwick Hall.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, King James I (James VI of Scotland) (1566–1625), aged 8 (after Arnold van Bronckhorst) by Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616). Inscribed, top right: JACOBVS. DEIGRATIA. REX. / SCOTORVM. ETATIS. SVE. 8 / 1574. A full-length portrait of a young boy, facing, wearing buff doublet, embroidered sleeves, green breeches, pink hose, white lace ruff and black hat with feathers, sword, his right hand on his hip, a falcon on his left wrist. James’ control over his hawk represents both his authority and personal enthusiasm for hunting . This picture appears to have been based on the portrait attributed to Bronckhorst held at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (c.1574, PG 992), but demonstrates influences from later versions, notably borrowing the colouration from Bronckhorst’s half-portrait of nine-year-old James, held at Chequers Court (inscribed 1575, PCF10).
Provenance
Inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608) and thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Marks and inscriptions
top right, JACOBUS. DEOGRATIA. REX./SCOTORUM. ETATIS. SVE. 8/ 1574
Makers and roles
Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616), artist after Arnold van Bronckhorst (c.1566 - 1586), artist
References
Doran 2021: Susan Doran (ed.), Elizabeth and Mary: Royal Cousins, Rival Queens (exh. cat.), British Library, London 8 October 2021 – 20 February 2022, p. 172