A portrait by famed painted Peter Paul Rubens has been rediscovered, depicting George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham and (allegedly) King James I’s lover.
The painting was housed in Pollok House, a National Trust property in Glasgow, where it was long believed to be a copy of a work by the Flemish master that had been missing for nearly 400 years. But Bendor Grosvenor of the BBC’s Britain’s Lost Masterpieces suspected that it could be the real thing and began investigating.
The Duke of Buckingham’s relationship with James I has long been debated: Though married to Anne of Denmark, James was known to lavish attention on young courtiers, of which Villiers was the last. (James’ nickname for Villiers was “Steenie,” after the angel-faced St. Stephen.)
The two gushed over each other in letters—James called Villiers his “wife” and the Earl told his king “I will live and die a lover of you.” In 1617, King James told the Privy Council in 1617, “You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else—and more than you who are here assembled.”
Villiers was assassinated at the age of 35 in 1628, three years after James died.
“The chance to discover a portrait of such a pivotal figure in British history by one of the greatest artists who ever lived has been thrillingly exciting,” says Grosvenor.
The restored Rubens will go on display at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Museum on Thursday.
Yeah, having some boi pussy on the side has been the norm throughout European history. What's your point?
Levi Miller
bump
Jack Martinez
That it is interesting that a man whose name inspired a book used to push anti-gay hatred was gay himself.
Ryan Campbell
I guess it's time you become Christian then, user.
Leo Garcia
Dude, fucking everyone knows King James was a fag. Are you going to start a thread about how you just found out Oscar Wilde was gay?
William Lewis
This. Plus these faggots don't understand bromance.
Jace Rodriguez
Stop spreading lies.
Nathaniel Martin
Who cares. KJV isn't an accurate translation anyway.
Owen Diaz
>King James inspired the Bible Full retard.
Evan Stewart
YAAAAAS SLAY QWEEEN!!!
STAY WOKE
Jason Reed
I thought I filtered out fag flags
Easton Rivera
No he inspired a translation. I'm not sure if the KJV was created during his reign of after. Certainly the bible has been edited many times to suit political needs over time.
