Charles II (1630–1685) was one of the most glamorous rulers of the Baroque period. In 1649, he succeeded his father Charles I, who had been beheaded for treason. However, Charles II could not immediately assume rule over the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Instead, he had to spend over a decade in exile, returning only in 1660. He led Great Britain through a phase of internal and external political crises, and he knew how to consolidate and legitimize his power with works of art.
Due to his years in exile, Charles II had become familiar with the latest continental European trends. Consequently, he brought new fashions to England and hired numerous foreign artists and artisans. His court was well-known for being cosmopolitan, luxurious, sensuous, dissolute, and decadent. In seven sections, this virtual exhibition gives an insight into the life of this extraordinary monarch.