Where? The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
When? Until Sunday 13th May
Ah, the Restoration of the Monarchy and, with it, the return of artistic patronage to England! The flamboyant and rather promiscuous Charles II seems to have picked up where his unfortunate father left off. After years of Cromwellian austerity, England finally gets her artistic mojo back as Charles II turns to the visual arts to re-stablish and reinforce the power and glory of the Stuart monarchy.
Gems include John Michael Wright’s portrait of Charles II, magnificent in his coronation robes and full-bodied wig and works by Titian, Veronese and Michelangelo to name but a few.
Top tip: If possible, go and see the Charles I exhibition at the RA beforehand (opens on the 27th January)