Sasha Gonchoroff and Soh-Yoon
ARTE 670: Podcast Script
April 20, 2007

Podcast I: Charles II

***Rule Brittania Intro***

Speaker 1: When I first look at most of these paintings of the men, they all look so similar!

Speaker 2: I agree, but I feel that the details are what counts.

Speaker 1: What do you first notice about Charles II?

Speaker 2: I first notice the soft light shining down from the far right corner that gives Charles a feminine appearance.

Speaker 1: I can see that. The lighting softens his complexion and lets Charles' clothing have a soft hue and glow around him.

Speaker 2: It seems as though he is very concerned with his outfit. Look at the way he is posed; the tip of his left foot is delicately placed on the floor and then his hand on the left side is formed like a ballet dancers' hand.

Speaker 1: It is very feminine for a king

Speaker 2: I think these features also bring attention to the drapery that he is surrounded by.

Speaker 1: Yes I can see how the drapery is important and is a central focus in this painting. The drapery reveals a soft side to Charles, unlike his brother James the II.

Speaker 2: James II is in this exhibit also.

Speaker 1: Yes, I noticed that, I saw that painting earlier.

Speaker 2: I wonder if Charles II made a conscious choice to have himself featured as less masculine than his brother?

Speaker 1: That was probably the style of the painter, however Charles II chose Lely as his principle painter, so perhaps this is why he wanted to be portrayed to the public.

Speaker 2: Do you think the brothers actually got along?

Speaker 1: I wonder if they were rivalries and one was jealous of the other one.
Speaker 2: I know if I was the brother who was second chosen to be king I would be very spiteful and put forth as much effort to out-do my own brother. I wonder if James II, the younger one, felt this way?

***Rule Brittania***