Art Funded by you

Sketch: James I uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland

Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1632–1633

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham

This work is a sketch for the ceiling of the Whitehall Banqueting House. Beside James I stands a warrior and behind him a winged figure. Such studies preceded the modelli in which the whole composition is laid out and show the development of the artist's ideas. On the final panel the relationship between the warrior and the King is different and Rubens may have been more concerned at this stage with developing the idea of the two figures rather than their relationship to each other. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Sketch: James I uniting the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, c. 1632–1633

Date supported

1985

Medium and material

Oil on panel

Dimensions

64 x 48 cm

Grant

30000

Total cost

650700

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

Get a National Art Pass and explore Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK

National Art Pass offers available at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Free exhibitions

10% off in café

Expires: 1 Jan 2026

10% off in shop

10% off in shop
Expires: 1 Jan 2026

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product
Get a national art pass

Art Funded by you FAQs

Why is this object record marked 'archive'?
Where can I see this work of art? Is it on display?
What is Art Fund's purpose?
How is Art Fund funded?
What type of funding do you offer?
What does the acquisition grants programme support and who can apply?
How many works of art has Art Fund helped museums to acquire?
I’m a curator/researcher/arts professional and would like to find out more about this work, how do I get in touch?
I’m a journalist and would like to contact Art Fund about this work, how do I get in touch?
I would like to donate a work of art to a museum. What do I need to do?
I'd like to leave a gift to Art Fund in my will. How can I do this?

Contact us

If you have a question about a work of art in our archive, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.

Get in touch

© Art Fund 2025. “Art Fund” is the operating name of the National Art Collections Fund, a charity registered in England and Wales (209174) and Scotland (SC038331)