From Private to Public Collecting and Museums

As the Netherlands pursued its growing commerce through the establishment and success of its VOC, and its artists became widely sought after, collecting in England became increasingly fashionable. Three of the most prominent figures involved were King Charles 1 (1600–1649), Thomas Howard, the second Earl of Arundel (1585–1646) and George Villiers the Duke of Buckingham (1592–1628). The stories surrounding their collecting practices differ widely, dependent on their family background and aspirations. Charles I inherited the nucleus of his collection from his brother Prince Henry in 1612 and his mother Queen Anne in 1617. Charles I presided over what was, outwardly, the most civilized court England has ever seen. Sixteenth-century figures such as Lord Lumley had paved the way for men such as the Earl of Arundel (who inherited some Lumley objects). Arundel collected assiduously for over 40 years and was a privileged legatee. The Duke’s collections were established from scratch between 1618. when he finally established his personal indispensability to James I, and 1628, the bulk of the objects accruing before 1626.