Portrait of a Gentleman in Armour, James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury; Circle of Willem Wissing (1656-1687), Oil on Canvas Painting

This impressive portrait depicts the English nobleman, politician, and peer, James Cecil, 4th Earl of Salisbury. A courtier in the service of King James II, he led a regiment in support of the king during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Subsequently, he was incarcerated in the Tower of London for approximately twenty-two months and was ultimately charged with high treason. Although he was released in October 1690 due to a general pardon, he passed away in 1694 at the age of twenty-eight.

He has been depicted wearing a highly polished glistening suit of armour, a white gross point cravat, and a full bottomed wig - these immensely expensive items were intended to underline his rank and importance in society. It is the archetypal bust-length portrait for an aristocratic male during the last quarter of the seventeenth century and first quarter of the eighteenth century.

Baptised on September 25, 1666, Salisbury was the eldest of ten children born to James Cecil, the 3rd Earl of Salisbury KG, and Lady Margaret Manners, who was the daughter of John Manners, the 8th Earl of Rutland. As the firstborn son, he inherited his father's title in May 1683, becoming the 4th Earl of Salisbury.

In 1683 he married the wealthy heiress, Frances Bennet, daughter of Simon Bennett of Beachampton, Buckinghamshire, a wealthy tradesman. Following his marriage, he spent several years traveling abroad, returning to England around the beginning of 1688. In that same year, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King James II and embraced Roman Catholicism. However, his appointment was overshadowed by the Glorious Revolution that occurred from October to December 1688, during which he served the king in the capacity of Colonel of a cavalry regiment. It is most likely that our portrait was painted at this time to mark this important event.

James Cecil was arrested in January 1688/89, impeached for high treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London where he remained without trial. However, he was pardoned in October by "the king and queen's most gracious, general and free pardon".

The sitter lived at Hatfield House (see photos), the Cecil family home since 1611. Robert Michael James Gascoyne-Cecil, 7th Marquess of Salisbury still resides there today. Robert Cecil dedicated a significant portion of his life to serving James I. In 1608, Robert, who would later become the 1st Earl of Salisbury, initiated the construction of the new Hatfield House, which is renowned for housing one of the finest 17th-century English staircases.

Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury (1830-1903), served as prime minister on three occasions, under both Queen Victoria and Edward VII. The colloquial expression “…and Bob's your uncle,” which generally signifies “and there you have it,” is thought to have originated in 1887 when the 3rd Marquess appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as chief secretary for Ireland. This appointment was unexpected, given Balfour's apparent lack of qualifications for the role; the primary qualification perceived by the public was his familial connection to the prime minister. One of the 3rd Marquess's sons, Lord Edgar Algernon Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1937 for his contributions to the establishment of the League of Nations.

The sitter died on 24 October 1694 at the age of twenty-eight, and his infant son, James Cecil, became the 5th Earl (1691-1728). His widow lived until 1713.

The treatment of the facial features, the armour, and the gross point lace, which has been painstakingly delineated is very fine. Held in a good quality period Lely panel frame.

Measurements: Height 91cm, Width 78cm framed (Height 35.75”, Width 30.75” framed)

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