The Royal Collection includes some of the most famous and important paintings of the last 500 years, with masterpieces from artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt,Vermeer,Canaletto, Stubbs,Gainsborough, Reynolds, Zoffany, Lawrence, Landseer and Winterhalter-representing the artistic tastes of monarchs from Charles I to Queen Victoria.

This exploration of the paintings in the Roval Collection looks at the patronage of the four greatest royal collectors - Charles I, George III,George .IV and (guided by Prince Albert)Queen Victoria herself. By considering the works they acquired thematically rather than chronologically, it offers a fascinating introduction to the collection, and to the complex relationship between artist and royal patron.

Foreword by HRH The Prince of Wales

Author"s Acknowledgements

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

The Collectors

CHAPTER 2

The Genius of Italy

CHAPTER 3

The Kingdom of Nature

CHAPTER 4

The Sword and the Sceptre

CHAPTER 5

Private View

CHAPTER 6

The Regal Image

Notes on the Text

Further Reading

List of Illustrations

Permissions

Index