King James II

Hi everyone! My name is Isabella, and I'm so excited to show you a really cool painting! It's a portrait of King James II, and it's from a long, long time ago – way back in the 17th century! That's like, hundreds of years ago! nn

Can anyone guess how old a painting that is? (Pause for answers) Yes, it's very, very old! This painting is like a time machine, showing us what a king looked like a long, long time ago. It's not as big as a wall, though. It's about this big! (Gesture to indicate a size roughly equivalent to 45cm x 51cm). nn

Look closely at the King. See his wig? It's big and fluffy, right? The artist, Peter Lely, was super good at painting hair! He even painted tiny little details, like the way the light shines on the wig. What color is the King's wig? (Pause for answers) And what color are his cheeks? (Pause for answers) They're a little bit rosy, aren't they? It makes him look a bit friendly, even though he's a king! nn

The background is dark brown, almost like chocolate! See how that makes the King stand out? It's like he's shining a light! The artist used clever tricks with light and dark to make the painting really interesting. Do you think it's easier to paint a dark background or a light one? (Pause for answers) nn

This painting shows us how important kings were a long time ago. It's a way of showing everyone how powerful he was. Even though it's just a picture of a man, it tells us a lot about history! What do you think this painting tells us about King James II? (Pause for answers) nn

This painting is a really special piece of art. It shows us how artists from long ago were amazing at painting people and making them look real. It's also a window into the past, showing us a bit about how people lived and what was important to them. Isn't that amazing? Now, let's go look at some other cool paintings!