Charles Beale (1631–1705)
- Date
- late 1650s
- Material
- Oil on paper, laid on panel
- made in
- London, Greater London, England, Europe
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 238
- Dimensions
- 12 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (31.8 × 26.7 cm)
framed: 16 1/4 × 13 7/8 × 1 1/2 in. (41.3 × 35.2 × 3.8 cm) - Credit Line
- Funds given by Dr. E. Robert and Carol Sue Schultz
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 36:2025
NOTES
This image of a young man in a fur hat may be the earliest surviving portrait of Charles Beale painted by his wife, Mary Beale. Recognized as England’s first professional female portrait painter, she established a successful practice in London beginning in the mid-1650s.
Charles and Mary wed in 1652. After losing his position as deputy clerk of the patents in 1665, Charles managed his wife’s career. This role was highly unusual for the husband of a female artist in the early modern period.
Charles and Mary wed in 1652. After losing his position as deputy clerk of the patents in 1665, Charles managed his wife’s career. This role was highly unusual for the husband of a female artist in the early modern period.
Provenance
– by 1989
Private Collection, USA
1989/04/06 – 2023/09/25
Private Collection, Portugal, purchased from auction, “Fine Old Master Paintings,” Christie’s, New York, lot 41 [1]
2023/09/25 – 2025
Philip Mould & Company, London, purchased at auction, “Antiques and Works of Art, Rare Books, Modern and Contemporary Art,” Cabral Moncada Leilões, Lisbon, 25 September 2023, lot 209 [2]
2025 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Philip Mould & Company [3]
Notes:
Provenance provided by Philip Mould & Company in their dealer sheet.
[1] At the time, the painting was catalogued as “Jacob von Oost, the Elder”
[2] At the time, the painting was catalogued as “Flemish School”
[3] Invoice dated April 1, 2025 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Board of Commissioners, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 7, 2025.
Private Collection, USA
1989/04/06 – 2023/09/25
Private Collection, Portugal, purchased from auction, “Fine Old Master Paintings,” Christie’s, New York, lot 41 [1]
2023/09/25 – 2025
Philip Mould & Company, London, purchased at auction, “Antiques and Works of Art, Rare Books, Modern and Contemporary Art,” Cabral Moncada Leilões, Lisbon, 25 September 2023, lot 209 [2]
2025 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Philip Mould & Company [3]
Notes:
Provenance provided by Philip Mould & Company in their dealer sheet.
[1] At the time, the painting was catalogued as “Jacob von Oost, the Elder”
[2] At the time, the painting was catalogued as “Flemish School”
[3] Invoice dated April 1, 2025 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Board of Commissioners, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 7, 2025.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at [email protected].
Related Content
Events
Nov27
Seasonal Spotlight—Charles Beale (1631–1705)
- Event Date / Time
- 2–2:30 pm
- Event Category
- Free Fridays