William Dobson at the National Portrait Gallery

A new display at the National Portrait Gallery of London, (United Kingdom), marks the 400thanniversary of the birth of the artist William Dobson.

Considered the most important British painter of his generation, Dobson was a hugely significant witness to the English Civil War but his career was tragically short. This display is part of a wider celebration of Dobson’ s anniversary year which sees the launch of a special Dobson Art Trail created by The Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak.

The four oil portraits included in the display are of Richard NevilleSir Edward Nicholas probably Sir Thomas Aylesbury,and probably Nicholas Oudart. These will be shown alongside a selection of prints from the Gallery’s archive, exploring Dobson’s relationship with the printmaker William Faithorne.
Dobson was appointed King Charles I’s Principal Painter following the death of Sir Anthony van Dyck in 1641. At the outbreak of the English Civil War he joined the king at Oxford and painted many of the leading Royalists, capturing the drama and anxiety of the time.

Date: until March 18, 2012.
Location: National Portrait Gallery. St Martin's Place. London. WC2H 0HE. United Kingdom.
Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Thursday and Friday from 10am to 9pm.