The Stuart Image

Sir Roy Strong's The Stuart Image reexamines portrait painting in Stuart England, focusing on the sitters and their evolving identities rather than solely on the artists.

In The Stuart Image, Sir Roy Strong presents a comprehensive exploration of portrait painting during the Stuart era in England. Drawing from decades of expertise, he shifts the focus from the artists, particularly van Dyck, to the sitters themselves, examining how their portrayals reflect the evolving attitudes of the time. This approach challenges the traditional narrative that has predominantly centered on artistic technique and attribution, instead highlighting the significance of the sitters' desires to be remembered through their portraits.

The book delves into the transition from the medieval aesthetic of the Elizabethan age to the emerging Catholic baroque style that characterized European art. Strong emphasizes that portraits serve as lasting records of how individuals wished to be perceived by future generations. By analyzing the imagery and iconography of the Stuart dynasty, he reveals how these portraits not only document personal identities but also reflect the broader cultural shifts within society, particularly the rise of an assertive aristocracy.

Ultimately, The Stuart Image underscores the importance of understanding the constructed nature of these portraits. They represent a new mythology for the Stuart dynasty, capturing an aesthetic revolution that moved away from the complexities of the Elizabethan world. Through this lens, Strong invites readers to appreciate the profound interplay between image and reality, challenging us to reconsider what we see in these historical representations.