Whittingham, Selby, 'The Chronology of the Portraits of Richard II', The Burlington Magazine 113 (1971), 12+14-21

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Quick Summary

Richard II probably had a beard and moustache from around 1386, indicating that the famous Westminster Abbey portrait of him without a moustache was produced c. 1385

  • Doubt remains over the chronology and dating of the portraits of Richard II
  • Depictions of Richard II with a beard in 1390 suggest he had a moustache by that date
  • Richard’s tomb effigy is his most important surviving depiction that can be dated
Key Conclusion

Whittingham explores the portraits of Richard II that were produced during his reign. By examining how the king is depicted in these portraits, especially with regards to his facial hair, the article attempts to establish a chronology for when the images were produced. Whittingham concludes that some doubt remains over the chronology of the portraits that survive, and that the date of the famous Wilton Diptych must be left for a subsequent study. However, from a study of about twenty contemporary portraits of Richard II, Whittingham argues that it is likely that Richard had a beard and probably a moustache from around 1386 onwards. On this basis, the famous Westminster Abbey portrait may have been produced around 1385.

Content Overview

The twenty or so portraits of Richard II examined by Whittingam ‘probably represents only a small proportion of those created in his reign’ (p. 21). Depictions of the king such as statutes at Westminster Hall (1385), London Bridge (1393) and in Salisbury Cathedral (c. 1396-9) are known to have existed, but are now lost. Even those that have survived might be based on a design produced at an earlier time during his reign. However, these portraits can only depict Richard II as being younger, not older, than he was at the time at which the portrait was made. Therefore, the existence of several portraits of Richard II with a beard and moustache c. 1390 suggest that he was bearded by that date.

Further Findings

The most important surviving portrait of Richard II that can be dated is his tomb effigy in Westminster Abbey, which was commissioned on 24 April 1395. From his depiction, Whittingham argues that Richard had a beard and moustache, as in his effigy, before the death of his spouse Anne of Bohemia on 7 June 1394. Indeed, the king was apparently bearded perhaps in 1386, and certainly by 1388-9. The article suggests that ‘from the age of twenty onwards he had a beard and probably a moustache as well’ (p. 19). The famous Westminster Abbey Portrait of Richard II depicts him without a beard, and on the basis of this evidence, may have been produced c. 1385.

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