The favourite subjects are those connected
with the royal house of Stuart. Charles I.
and Henrietta Maria, and Charles II. and
his queen, are frequently pourtrayed. Even
when Biblical, mythical, or allegorical scenes
are represented, the principal figures often
take the likenesses of these royal personages.
The work is aristocratic and royalist through-
out. The shepherd playing the pipes, and
the shepherdess with her crook, are dressed
in the fashionable costume of the time. The
following are the principal among Biblical
subjects : Adam and Eve in the Garden,
Abraham entertaining the Angels, Abraham
and Hagar, the Offering of Isaac, Isaac and
Rebekah, Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Moses
found among the bulrushes, David and
Abigail, David and Bathsheba, the Judgment
of Solomon, the Visit of the Queen of Sheba,
Jehu and Jezebel, Esther and Ahasuerus,
Susanna and the Elders, and the Daughter
of Herodias before Herod. The favourite
classical subjects are the Judgment of Paris
and Orpheus charming the Beasts. Single
figures sometimes symbolize qualities and
virtues, such as Faith, Hope, Justice, Peace,
Time, the Five Senses, etc.
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