Paul van Somer I facts for kids
Paul van Somer (around 1577 – 1621), also known as Paulus van Somer, was a talented artist from Flanders. He moved to England during the time of King James I of England. Paul van Somer quickly became one of the most important painters at the royal court. He painted many portraits of King James, his wife Queen Anne of Denmark, and other important people like nobles.
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Who Was Paul van Somer?
Paul van Somer was a bit of a mystery. Not much is known about his early life. He was the brother of another artist named Barend van Someren. Paul van Somer traveled a lot in northern Europe before settling in England. Some say he arrived around 1606, but he became a permanent resident after 1616.
He lived in Leiden, Netherlands, from 1612 to 1614, and in Brussels in 1616. After that, he moved to London. There, he became a court painter for King James I. He was very important to the King and Queen Anne. Paul van Somer was a pioneer for other famous Flemish and Dutch artists who later became court painters, like Daniel Mytens and Anthony van Dyck.
Van Somer's Artistic Style
Paul van Somer brought a new style to British court portraits. His paintings showed a grander, smoother, and more natural look. This was similar to the style of Daniel Mytens, another artist from the Netherlands who also lived in London.
People had different opinions about van Somer's art. Some, like Horace Walpole, thought his portraits were as good as those by the famous Van Dyck. Booth Tarkington believed van Somer was good at showing a person's true character. However, other art critics, like Sir John Rothenstein, found his work to be a bit dull.
Royal Portraits and Gifts
King James I did not like to sit for painters very often. Because of this, many copies of van Somer's royal portraits were made. These copies were often sent as gifts to other countries. Many versions of his work also appeared as printed pictures.
Van Somer is known for adding royal symbols, called regalia, to his portraits of kings and queens. For example, he included symbols of the Order of the Garter. He painted full-length portraits, which usually cost about £25 or £30.
Other Important Works
Paul van Somer also received painting jobs from people who were not part of the royal family. For example, the Earl of Rutland paid him for portraits in 1618 and 1619. Lady Anne Clifford wrote in her diary that van Somer painted her on August 30, 1619.
One interesting portrait by van Somer is of Elizabeth Drury (1596–1610). She was a girl made famous by poems written by John Donne after her death. Van Somer might have painted her portrait several years after she died, or perhaps when she visited Europe with her parents shortly before her death.
Famous Paintings You Can See Today
Many of Paul van Somer's paintings can still be seen in museums and collections today.
- In 1616, he finished a well-known portrait of King James I.
- A year later, he painted Queen Anne in hunting clothes. This painting also shows her African servant, her horse, and her hunting dogs at Oatlands Palace. By this time, van Somer had become Queen Anne's favorite painter.
- Another portrait of Queen Anne of Denmark, at Drumlanrig Castle, shows her wearing many beautiful jewels. These include a diamond crossbow in her hair and diamond badges with "S" and "C4" that refer to her family. There is also a cross or aigrette in the center, which might be a famous jewel called the "Mirror of France."
When Queen Anne died in 1619, she owed van Somer £170. He was part of her funeral procession as her "picture maker," along with other artists.
Other portraits by van Somer include those of Lady Elizabeth Grey, Countess of Kent, painted around 1619, and a portrait of Ludovic Stewart, 2nd Duke of Lennox.
