The Polish Portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie

This book examines an eighteenth-century portrait of a youth in Polish dress, believed to be a portrait of Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Gallery has always doubted its authenticity, and leading experts have dismissed the identification. This study, by a historian of Poland-Lithuania, is the first detailed attempt to research the painting properly, examining its provenance and the connections of its first known owner with the Kinlochmoidart MacDonalds.

Format: Hardback
Length: 135 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate examination of an eighteenth-century portrait, housed in the National Portrait Gallery in London since 1922, yet never publicly showcased. Two inscriptions boldly assert that it portrays Charles Edward Stuart, affectionately known as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie.' However, the Gallery has consistently harbored doubts regarding its authenticity, with esteemed experts in Stuart portraiture dismissing this identification. In this groundbreaking study, a historian of Poland-Lithuania takes on the challenge of conducting a thorough investigation into the painting. Drawing upon archival sources, the author delves into the painting's provenance and explores the intriguing connections of its first known owner with the Kinlochmoidart MacDonalds, who valiantly fought for the Prince during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. Through a meticulous analysis of a substantial body of evidence, the study presents compelling arguments that suggest a high probability of the portrait's genuine portrayal of the Prince. This captivating exploration into art history sheds new light on the enigmatic figure of Bonnie Prince Charlie and offers a fresh perspective on the intricacies of portraiture and historical research.

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030999353
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022