Portrait of M. James Duke of York as Admiral - Gascars, Henri (French painter, 1634 or 1635-1701) (My University, 2008)
A note posted by the Maritime Gallery online regarding the present painting reads: 'The portrait shows James in a swaggering pose, while the costume and depiction of flesh and lush silks invites several readings. The design of the seascape visible through the artistic device of a drawn curtain, may be based on a lost painting by van de Velde the Younger. The artist, Gascar, came to England in about 1672 and painted portraits with flamboyant French symbolism for the Catholic clique in the Stuart court. He worked for the Charles II's mistress, Louise de Keroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth, and was also a French spy. William IV presented this portrait to Greenwich Hospital, from the Royal Collection, in 1835.'
Keywords: James, Duke of York, 1633-1701; Admiral; Painting, British; Portrait; Nobility; Gentry; Armour; Body armour; Costume; Navies; Mars (Roman deity); Soldiers; Monarchy; Ships; Baroque