Sold....portrait of Elizabeth, Lady Narborough, Later Lady Shovell, C.1678, by Simon Pietersz. Verelst

Oil on canvas in black and gilt ogee frame.

This portrait of Lady Narborough is absolutely typical of Verelst's work. One of five artists of the same family, Simon Pietersz. was best known as a hugely successful flower painter, only occasionally painting portraits.

Always using the same stylised technique, his sitters have a rather doll-like quality; perhaps his best known portrait is of the famous actress and courtesan Nell Gwynn, who was a chief patron.

ELIZABETH, LADY NARBOROUGH, later Lady Shovell, (1658-1732). Born Elizabeth Hill, daughter of John Hilll, Commissioner of the Navy, she married Rear Admiral Sir John Narborough, 1st Baronet RN (c. 1640 – 1688). He was an English naval commander who served with distinction during the Anglo-Dutch Wars and against the Barbary Coast pirates. They had two sons, Sir John Narborough, 2nd Baronet, and James Narborough who both entered naval careers and died, aged 23 and 22, in the sinking of HMS Association in 1707.

After her husband's death Elizabeth married, in March 1697, Sir Cloudesley Shovell , who had served under Narborough. They had two daughters.

Rear Admiral Shovell was a fine officer, but is now remembered mainly for the terrible tragedy of October 1707. His flagship, the Association, with Romney and Eagle, were swept onto the Bishop and Clerk rocks off the Scilly Isles, by strong westerly winds, and wrecked.

The weather was not good and the fleet had not been able to get good readings for their position and for this reason, Shovell thought they were further eastward than they actually were.

Of the 1315 men in these three ships, there was only one survivor, the Quartermaster of the Romney.

It is said the the Admiral was still alive when he reached shore, but was murdered by a local woman who smothered him in the sand, as he lay semi-conscious on the beach. A large emerald ring which he wore was missing when his body was discovered and it is assumed that it was for possession of this that he was murdered.

SIMON PIETERSZ. VERELST (1644-c.1721). Born at The Hague where his father was a portrait painter. He joined the Guild of St.Luke in 1666. He came to England in 1669 and was the first of his family to do so. Already known as a flower painter, he was encouraged by the Duke of Buckingham to paint portraits.

He became eccentric and conceited and took to calling himself the 'God of Flowers' and 'King of Painters'. Eventually he went completely mad and died in London between 1710 and c.1721.

SIZE: 35 x 30 inches inc. frame.

PROVENANCE: : Hinwick House, Bedfordshire.

(Image 4 shows Hinwick House.)

VERSO: old label for the noted company "Chapman Bros (Chelsea) Ltd. Picture Restorers, carvers, Gilders. 341 King's road, Chelsea. No.740."