Charles I with M. de St Antoine

Charles is depicted as a chivalrous knight and sovereign[1] riding a large, muscular white horse – possibly a Lipizzaner – under a neoclassical triumphal arch, from which is fall hangings of green silk.

He is clad in parade armour with the blue sash of the Order of the Garter and carries a baton to symbolise his command of the military.

A large royal coat of arms of the House of Stuart stands to the lower left of the painting – of four quarters: first and fourth the fleur-de-lys of France quartering the three lions of England, second the double tressured lion of Scotland, and third the harp of Ireland – surmounted by a large crown.

[3] It was sold to "Pope" on 22 December 1652 and subsequently acquired by the Flemish painter Remigius van Leemput who lived in London.

[4] It was recovered from van Leemput through legal proceedings and returned to Charles II in 1660 upon the Restoration of the Monarchy.