Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
The Earl of Westmeath is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1621 for Richard Nugent, Baron Delvin. During the Tudor era the loyalty of the Nugent family was often in question, and Richard's father, the sixth Baron, died in prison while awaiting trial for treason, a crime for which other members of the family had already been condemned.
He was the grandson of Richard Nugent, 1st Earl of Westmeath and Jenet Plunkett. Nugent's father, Christopher, Lord Delvin, had predeceased the first Earl, meaning that Richard Nugent succeeded to the earldom on his grandfather's death in 1641. His mother was Lady Anne MacDonnell, daughter of Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim and his wife Ellis (or Alice) O'Neill, daughter of Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone and his fourth wife Catherine Magennis.
Before 1641 he married his kinswoman, Mary Nugent (widow of Christopher Plunkett, who was a younger son of Christopher Plunkett, 8th Baron of Dunsany), and daughter of Sir Thomas Nugent, 1st Baronet of Moyrath and his wife Alison Barnewall, daughter of Robert Barnewall of Robertstown, County Meath.
SIR PETER LELY (1618 - 1680) was the most important portraitist in the reign of Charles ll, although he had painted portraits throughout the Commonwealth. Principal Painter to the King, he painted everyone of importance, maintaining a busy and active Studio to help with the huge demand for his portraits. Members of his Circle, many of them talented artists in their own right, emulated his style to supply this constant market.
SIZE: 37 x 32 inches including the frame.
PROVENANCE: Verso, old Christie's stencils.
Berkshire Private Collection.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 17th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Mary, Countess of Westmeath, Circle or Studio of Sir Peter Lely. Oil on Canvas.
