Charles II is presented here as a king-in-waiting, clad in armour and surrounded by symbols of royalty to emphasise his legitimacy. His potential to renew the institution of monarchy is signified by the phoenix, the rising sun that banishes the evils of darkness and, to the left, the vanquishing of the forces of discord. Charles's personal mythology is also represented in the bright star, which was reported in the sky at the time of his birth.

Cat. 13