Exhibition preview
On 29 May 1660, his 30th birthday, Charles II made his triumphant return to London and to the throne of England, ending more than a decade of austere Republican rule. Over the next 25 years the arts would play a critical role in reinforcing Charles' authority.
A selection of the items that were commissioned or acquired by Charles, as well as items returned to the collection following the Inter-regnum, are presented below.