Portrait of James I of England (1566-1625), bust-length, in a black brimmed hat, fur over-mantle and gold doublet

This portrait relates to the full-length pattern for which payments are recorded in 1606 and 1607. There are autograph versions of the full-length type at Loseley Park, Guildford, and in the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London. John de Critz was granted the office of Serjeant Painter to the King for life in May 1605.
Dr Caroline Rae, to whom we are grateful, points out that the bust-length format and simplified collar are in line with works produced very early after King James's accession to the throne in 1603 (see for example Sotheby's, London, 16 November 1988, lot 22).