Attributed to Franciszek Smiadecki
Charles II full face in black doublet and lace cravat wearing the sash and Order of the Garter, 1660s
Oil on copper
Oval, 1 7/8 in (4.8 cm) high
Philip Mould & Co.
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com Very little is known about Smiadecki, who was born in either Poland or Russia. He is thought to have been...
To view all current artworks for sale visit philipmould.com
Very little is known about Smiadecki, who was born in either Poland or Russia. He is thought to have been tutored by Alexander Cooper in Sweden and worked primarily in oils on copper or vellum. The work of Smiadecki has only really gained the deserved recognition in the last fifty years, and like many other portrait miniaturists working in oils, Smiadecki did not always sign his work, making the possibility for study limited. It is perhaps for this reason that the present work was incorrectly assumed, through lack of an alternative, to be by Cooper and thus inscribed on the reverse of the card support and the frame reverse with that name.Smiadecki painted several portraits of Charles II including a large work on copper sold through Christies in 1984 depicting the king half-length facing left with the Garter star half visible on his shoulder and another, now in the Berger Collection (sold Christie’s, 21st October 1997, lot 1).
The present work can be dated to circa 1670-75, based on the appearance of the king, which relates most closely to oil portraits by Sir Peter Lely (1618-80) of this date, although it is far more somber in tone.
Very little is known about Smiadecki, who was born in either Poland or Russia. He is thought to have been tutored by Alexander Cooper in Sweden and worked primarily in oils on copper or vellum. The work of Smiadecki has only really gained the deserved recognition in the last fifty years, and like many other portrait miniaturists working in oils, Smiadecki did not always sign his work, making the possibility for study limited. It is perhaps for this reason that the present work was incorrectly assumed, through lack of an alternative, to be by Cooper and thus inscribed on the reverse of the card support and the frame reverse with that name.Smiadecki painted several portraits of Charles II including a large work on copper sold through Christies in 1984 depicting the king half-length facing left with the Garter star half visible on his shoulder and another, now in the Berger Collection (sold Christie’s, 21st October 1997, lot 1).
The present work can be dated to circa 1670-75, based on the appearance of the king, which relates most closely to oil portraits by Sir Peter Lely (1618-80) of this date, although it is far more somber in tone.