King Charles I sees art as a way of promoting his grandiose view of the monarchy.

The most passionate and generous collector of art among the British monarchs, he is able in 1626 to persuade the Italian Baroque painter Orazio Gentileschi, one of more important painters influenced by Caravaggio (the so-called Caravaggisti), to settle in England, later to be joined by his daughter Artemesia and some of his sons.

Gentileschi is to remain in England for the rest of his life.

His works will become increasingly conventional and decorative, but will be appreciated by the local aristocracy for their classicism.

Van Dyck will include him in his portraits of a hundred illustrious men.