温莎城堡2

The state apartments at the heart of Windsor seem a world apart from the stern castle walls that enclose them.

So many objects within these rooms have stories to tell of the nation's history,

through all its shifting fortunes.

Of all the treasures of Windsor Castle,

perhaps this extraordinary painting speaks most powerfully of the glory,

and in some cases the tragedy of the monarchs who passed through here.

This unusual triple-headed study is of Charles I at the height of his powers.

And the artist,

Van Dyck, was asked to paint it this way as a study for a later sculpture.

But it's a masterpiece in its own right.

I mean, look at the quality of the fabrics, for example.

And then how he's captured the character of King Charles and his air of melancholy.