Edward Bower Paintings

Edward Bower was an English portrait painter, active during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War and the Interregnum. Little is known about Bower's early life, including his birth date, which remains undocumented. Nevertheless, his contributions to art are recognized through his surviving works.

Bower’s career as an artist seems to have flourished during the 1640s and 1650s. He became known for his realistic portrayal of his subjects, often depicting them with stark realism and a clear attention to detail. His style was characterized by a sober use of color and a proficient handling of light and shadow, which added a sense of depth to his portraits.

During the Civil War, Bower painted portraits of several prominent figures, including members of the nobility and those aligned with the Royalist cause. Notably, he is attributed with painting a portrait of King Charles I after the monarch's execution in 1649, which suggests that Bower may have been a Royalist sympathizer himself, or at least found patronage from those who were.

Following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Bower's work continued to be in demand as the country sought to rebuild and establish a sense of normalcy. His portraits from this era helped document the faces of those who lived through one of England's most turbulent historical periods.

Edward Bower's exact date of death is known to be in 1667, but much like his birth, specific details about his later life and circumstances of his death remain unclear. Despite the scarcity of personal information, his paintings offer a valuable visual record of the English society of his time. Today, his works can be found in various art collections, including museums and galleries, serving as a testament to his skill as a portraitist during a significant era in English history.