Karel van Mander III was the grandson of the famous painter and historian of Netherlandish art, Karel van Mander I (1548-1606); his father, Karel van Mander II (1579-1623), worked in Delft and in the last year of his life executed a series of tapestries for King Christian IV (1577-1648). Karel van Mander III first visited Copenhagen in 1623 to claim payment for his father’s work. After training with Rembrandt, Van Mander settled in Copenhagen becoming court painter to Christian IV, who sponsored his visit to Italy in 1635-8.

In this portrait the King appears few years older (while wearing substantially the same fashions) as in the full length of 1640 (RCIN 402924). Its quality suggests that it comes from the studio of Van Mander, during the King's life time. It probably came by descent from the 1st Earl of Craven (1608-97), a discerning collector.

The sitter appears half-length, facing slightly to the left, left hand resting on his hip; wearing a speckled, faun-coloured doublet with embroidered sleeves and lace collar, with the Order of the Elephant; his hair has a long pigtail to one side.