Anglophiles and students of portraiture will find that The Royal Portrait fills a surprising void in the literature, as Scott (Royal Collection) presents for the first time a survey of British portraits housed in the various venues of the Royal Collection. The broad scope ranges from Richard II (the first British king portrayed) to Queen Elizabeth II; the latter monarch, along with Queen Victoria, is the subject of an independent chapter, while other chapters focus on images of royals from a particular dynastic house, such as the Stuart and the Hanoverian. Through an interesting selection of diverse media and formats employed in different periods, Scott explores the central question of "what constitutes a royal portrait?" The answers are multifaceted and contingent on such factors as patronage, function, royal control, and artistic intention; nevertheless symbolic visual conventions can still be traced in the representations of British monarchs over the centuries. This is a clearly written, well-illustrated survey; for more in-depth analyses of particular works one will need to turn to specialized sources, e.g., D. Howarth's Images of Rule (1997). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. General Readers; Lower-division Undergraduates; Upper-division Undergraduates; Graduate Students; Researchers/Faculty. Reviewed by J. K. Dabbs.

The Collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London, embraces over 500 years of British history, more than 60,000 sitters and explores ideas of social change, power and influence. Arguably as powerful and influential as any individual are the heads of state and empire, whose portraits are among the most popular in the Gallery_s Collection. For the exhibition that accompanies this book, the portraits of kings, queens, statesmen and stateswomen featured will go on tour for the first time, providing international audiences with the opportunity to encounter these famous historical and contemporary personalities face to face. The publication traces major events in British history and examines the ways in which royal portraiture has reflected individual sitters_ personalities and wider social, cultural and historical change. Works are arranged chronologically in sections, each of which is prefaced by an introductory text and timeline providing context to the period in question. Particularly significant portraits from each period are ac companied by extended captions that provide key information on the sitter and the artist. Tudors to Windsors also considers how each dynasty has been perceived and interpreted subsequently, with reference to popular culture and contemporary sources. A number of features on topics such as Royal Favourites, Royal Weddings, Satire, Royals at War, and Royal Fashion and Jewellery provide insights into particular aspects of royal portraiture and trends within the genre. The publication includes a foreword by the Gallery_s Director, a fully illustrated introductory essay discussing royal patronage and key artists in royal portraiture, and an essay by David Cannadine on the historical role of the monarchy in Britain.

"Roayl watcher Colin Edwards has devoted his life to taking photographs of the Royal family in their most endearing public moments. His personal collection documents and celebrates their joyous interaction with the general public, providing a captivating visual story spanning over six decades. Covering every memorable Royal moment--from the Coronation to the Diamond Jubilee--A personal portrait of the Royal family is a fasciating pictorial record of the House of Windsor"--Back cover.

The first exhibition to focus on images of artists from within the Royal Collection, 'Portrait of the Artist' not only show-cases self-portraits by world-renowned artists including Rembrandt, Rubens, Artemisia Gentileschi, Lucian Freud and David Hockney but also features images of artists by their friends, relatives and pupils, including the most reliable surviving likeness of Leonardo da Vinci by his student, Francesco Melzi. Well-known self-portraits intended to advertise the artist's talents will be shown alongside more intimate and personal works. The exhibition will examine a range of themes played out within these objects, from the 'cult' of the artist to the symbolism evoked through images of the artist's studio. The changing status of the artist over the centuries is another theme and the way in this is conveyed, both in the physical works and in the relationships between artist and patron will be highlighted. The role of monarchs in commissioning, collecting and displaying portraits of artists will also be discussed.

In this new scrapbook Avatar: The Last Airbender’s beloved character Uncle Iroh shares his memories and mementos with Prince Zuko. In Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation, discover long-kept secrets carried by Uncle Iroh as he records his stories for Prince Zuko. Read letters from family, friends, and more in this special collection of mementos and keepsakes. Iroh has held many roles in his long life, including crown prince of the Fire Nation, mentor to Prince Zuko, and ally of Avatar Aang. In the peace following the end of the Hundred Year War, Iroh has compiled many thoughts, memories, artifacts, and stories from his long life to share with Prince Zuko. Filled with amazing removable mementos from Iroh, Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legacy of the Fire Nation presents an exclusive look into one of the series’ most-loved characters.