Painting of the Day: King Edward VI

King Edward VI
William Scrots
1550
The Royal Collection

Queen Victoria purchased this portrait of the short-lived and even-shorter-reigning King Edward VII in 1882.

The portrait is attributed to William Scrots who lived from 1537 to 1553. It is believed that this painting was rendered in 1550, three years before the death of both the artist and the sitter. Scrots has gone out of his way to make the frail, child-King look as strong and imposing as his father, Henry VIII, however, even despite these romantic attempts to improve the King’s looks, his delicate nature is undeniable.

The reverse of the board upon which this work is painted is inscribed: “Kinge Edward 6.”