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In 17th century Europe, where nations fought for land and power, art quickly became a vital promotional weapon. At the heart of this struggle was King Charles I – a political disaster yet the most culturally sophisticated of England’s kings. In this talk we’ll learn how he used the arts as an arm of kingship – cajoling and bribing the great artists of Europe to work for him at ever greater cost. Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck were the pick of the bunch. Courtly and enlightened, these two artists were the hot tickets in the 17th century. As they painted and flattered their way from one court to the next, we’ll see how they held the great rulers of the day in the palm of their hands. Never had artists and their art been so powerful.