On Wednesday 13 November a newly acquired painting of King Charles II (1630-1685) was unveiled at the National Horseracing Museum by Katherine Field, Packard Curator of the British Sporting Art Trust. Purchased with the generous assistance of the Friends of the Museum, the striking oil painting is now on permanent display in the King’s Bedroom, part of the surviving Royal Palace of Newmarket.
It is the first royal portrait in oil to enter the collection and gives us the opportunity to tell the story of the Stuart kings and their connection to the town. All three enjoyed hunting and racing and moved the royal court to Newmarket each year from 1605, in the reign of James I, until the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I in 1649.
After nine years in exile, Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 and returned to Newmarket six years later. This was his first visit since spending much time here as a child in the company of his father. He was a passionate supporter of horseracing and six match races took place during the visit. The King visited regularly and even competed in some of the races, winning in 1671 and 1675. He also founded the Round Course, part of which is still used today as the July Course. Charles II stayed in Newmarket for the last time in 1684, the year before his death.
The portrait is exhibited in a section of the former palace which the King commissioned to be built in Newmarket and is now the home of the National Horseracing Museum. The King’s mistress Nell Gwynn lived in a cottage nearby which survives on Palace Street.
Studio of Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) the portrait of Charles II depicts the King wearing the Order of the Garter and standing before a column. It is an oil on canvas, measuring 126 x 100cm, set in a giltwood frame. The Provenance stems from Barons de Saumarez, Shrubland Hall, Suffolk and was purchased from Adam’s Auctioneers of Dublin on 1 May 2024, for £12, 831.
