British Royalty: Henry Frederick Stuart and Sir John Harington--The Hunting Party (1603)


Figure 1.-- Prince Henry is seen here as a boy with his friend Sir John Harington who looks a little older. A groom stands behind the horse. Prince Henry would have been about 7 years old. One wonders if a 7-year old boy would have been allowed to charge around the countryside hunting deer, especially the heir to the throne. There are no weapons visible. Perhaps the dogs did the hunting and the sword delivered the coup de grace. Notice the elaborate embroidery on the suit. Also the boys' collars are wide, but very plain. Quite different than the elaborate ruffs so popular in the 16th century. We are not sure about the colors here. We note one version which much brighter colors. Click on the image here to see it.

While we do not know a great deal about Henry's childhood, one of his childhood friends was John Harington. The fact that they were painted together about 1603 by Robert Peake the Elder is a strong indication that the two were very close. The Prince of Wales would not have been painted with just anyone. The painting depicts a hunting scene. This would have been something that young aristocrats would have receled in, especially an athletic young man like Henry. We are not sure, however, just how active Henry was. At this age some consideration would had to be taken over the prince's safety. We do not know a great deal about John Harington. We note that the Water Closet is invented by poet Sir John Harington, presumably that was the father of the John Haringtom in the portrait. Sir John was created a Baron--Baron Harington of Exton (1603). Baron Harington the elder died at Worms while returning from the Palatinate (1613). He was there working on the marriage of Henry's brother Elizabeth. His son, the boy pictured in the portait with Henry, died a year later without issue (1614).

Prince Henry (1596-1612)

Henry Frederick was the elest son became the Prince of Wales. His other titles included Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. Prince Henry was born in 1594 at Stirling Castle before his father became king.. His other titles included Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. He was handsome, athletic, chivalrous, candid, and a hater of flattery--the idol of the nation and one of the most gifted members of the Stuart dynasty. He died in 1612 of typhoid fever at St. James Palace in England. Many funeral elegies by such literary giants as John Donne, George Chapman, John Webster and Henry King were written to mourn his early passing.

Sir John Harington (15??-1614)

While we do not know a great deal about Henry's childhood, one of his childhood friends was John Harington. The fact that they were painted together about 1603 by Robert Peake the Elder is a strong indication that the two were very close. The Prince of Wales would not have been painted with just anyone. The painting depicts a hunting scene. This would have been something that young aristocrats would have receled in, especially an athletic young man like Henry. We are not sure, however, just how active Henry was. At this age some consideration would had to be take over the prince's safety. We do not know a great deal about John Harington. We note that the Water Closet is invented by poet Sir John Harington, presumably that was the father of the John Haringtom in the portrait. Sir John was created a Baron--Baron Harington of Exton (1603). Baron Harington the elder died at Worms while returning from the Palatinate (1613). He was there working on the marriage of Henry's brother Elizabeth. His son, the boy pictured in the portait with Henry, died a year later without issue (1614).

Robert Peake the Elder (1551?-1619)

Robert Peake the Elder was at the turn of the 17th century one of the most notable English painters. He painted the age Queen Elizabeth as well as several portaits of James I's family, including the Prince of Wales Henry Fredeick. Robert Peake who was born in Lincolnshire (about 1551). As a boy he was aprenticed to a goldsmith in Cheapside. He develped his skills and became accepted as a Freeman of the Goldsmith’s Company. He worked for the Offices of the Revels (1576). He was one of six "Paynters" that worked on court festivities. He was emoloyed by the court to do decorative work for several years. Gradually his work became well enough established that he opened a portrait studio. He is mentioned in Francis Mere’s Palladis Tamia (1598) and was one of the leading English portraitists. It is at this time that he received commissions to paint Queen Elizabeth, including a procession portrait (1600). He was careful to depict her as a young woman. James I ascened to the throne (1603). James was an avid huntstman, but rather scholarly and an avid theolgian. He tended to defer to his wife, Anne of Denmark on artistic matter. Peake received a commission to paint portraits of the two elder Royal children, Prince Henry and Princess Elizabeth. The portraits had many original features. A art historian writes that the paintings, "... with their inter-related landscape settings, two of the most ambitious and original images yet seen in British royal portraiture". The results were much appreciated. Other royal commissions followed, including one of Prince Charles. Peake amd John de Critz were appointed as "Serjeant Painter" to James I. Princess Henry also had an artistic bent. Prince Henry made Peake his official artist. In that capacity, Peake was very active. The most impressive work was a powerful equestrian portrait of ’Henry Prince of Wales’ at Parham House. Scolarly study shows that the paunting was altered after Henry and Peake's death. Peake did not just paint royal portraits. He did many portraits of important persons during the late Tudor and early Stuart era. As a portraitist, Peake had some limitations. But he depicted clothing in great detail, leaving a remarable historical record.

The Hunting Portrait (1603)

Prince Henry is seen here as a boy with his friend Sir John Harington who looks a little older. A groom stands behind the horse. Prince Henry would have been about 7 years. One wonders if a 7-year old boy would have been allowed to charge around the countryside hunting deer, especially the heir to the throne. There are no weapons visible. Perhaps the dogs did the hunting and the sword delivered the coup de grace. Notice the elaborate embroidery on the suit. Also the boys' collars are wide, but very plain. Quite different than the elaborate ruffs so popular in the 16th century. Peake's royal hunting portrait seems to be modeled after an earlier style popular in the Netherlands and Germany. Prince Henry is seen sheathing his sword. His hunting companion, Sir John Harington, holds the deer's antlers. The light palette of colors aswell as the rather decorative look are good examples of Peake's style. We note a range of postings on the internet showing differnt shades of this portrait. We are not sure which is the most accurate.







HBRC








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Created: 9:31 PM 7/23/2006
Last updated: 9:31 PM 7/23/2006