Charles II had a significant collection of miniatures which were kept in his closet at Whitehall. Many were recovered following the Restoration, while others were purchased. The finest miniaturist of the age was Samuel Cooper, who by 1663 was appointed ‘Limner’ or ‘Picture Maker’ to the king. Amongst the works featured here are five unfinished portrait sketches by Cooper. These were kept in Cooper's studio to be used as models for further commissions and were probably acquired by Charles II from Cooper's widow.