What characterises 17th-century English clerical portraiture?

Seventeenth-century English clerical portraiture typically features sombre attire, plain falling bands or collars, skullcaps, and formal poses reflecting religious devotion and academic status. Paintings from this era often incorporate family coats of arms or inscriptions indicating the sitters identity and age.

What materials were typically used for 17th-century oil portraits?

Portraits from the 17th century were painted using hand-ground oil pigments on linen canvas or wooden panels, predominantly oak or pine. Frames and stretchers were hand-carved, and natural varnishes made from tree resins were applied to seal the paint surface.

How can an authentic 17th-century oil portrait be identified?

Authentic period paintings display natural craquelure throughout the paint layers, evidence of hand-prepared canvas weave or hand-hewn wood panels, and age-consistent oxidisation on the reverse side. The pigments and brushwork should align with historical techniques rather than modern synthetic materials.

How do you style a 17th-century portrait in a modern interior?

A 17th-century portrait can be styled above a fireplace mantel, within a home library, or placed in a contemporary gallery wall to create visual contrast. Displaying dark historical artwork against muted or neutral walls highlights the muted colour palette and period framing.

How should an antique oil portrait be preserved and cleaned?

Keep the portrait in a climate-controlled room away from direct sunlight, excess humidity, and direct heat sources. Dust gently with a soft dry brush, and avoid water, household cleaners, or commercial polishes; professional conservation cleaning is recommended for discoloured varnish.

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Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

Name: Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1245865
Price: 12950 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

Description

C1660’s Huge Oil Portrait Of RICHARD BAXTER

Fine 17th Century Oil Portrait on canvas of esteemed figure Richard Baxter, a prominent English Puritan church leader who lived from 1615 to 1691.

There were many depictions and illustrations of the sitter which vary greatly through the centuries and one example is attached last.

Richard Baxter, the famous pastor from Kidderminster, claimed in his extensive memoirs that Cromwell’s troops gathered themselves into a church. At some point at the start of the war – Baxter is not clear – he was invited to be a pastor over Cromwell’s troops. Baxter’s account of this invitation appears within the context of his first visit to the New Model Army in Leicester after the battle of Naseby.

This portrait, dating from approximately c1660 depicts a Nonconformist Protestant minister, indicated by his long skull cap and collar also known as a ‘falling band’ which were typical attire of Puritan,Congregationalist and Presbyterian clergymen in the mid 17th century.

ABOUT : RICHARD BAXTER

Richard Baxter (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691) was an English Nonconformist church leader and theologian from Rowton, Shropshire, who has been described as ''''''''the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen''''''''. He made his reputation in the late 1630s by his ministry at Kidderminster in Worcestershire, when he also began a long and prolific career as theological writer.

Following the Act of Uniformity 1662, Baxter refused an appointment as Bishop of Hereford and was expelled from the Church of England. He became one of the most influential leaders of the Nonconformist movement, spending time in prison. His views remain controversial within the Calvinist tradition of Predestination because he taught that Christians are placed under a type of faith-law.

The artist has depicted the Minister in a prominent stance intended to convey his noble status, a fact not only revealed by him holding a pair of brown leather gloves but also a cane, both common artistic motifs shown in portraits of gentlemen throughout the 17th century period , often with the inclusion of personal family crest of arms as seen in our portrait in the upper right corner.

The erasure of the motto underneath the Coat Of Arms, as well as the obscurity of these arms, are significant facts with a plausible explanation in that the Minister likely received his personal arms during the Interregnum, perhaps being of importance to Oliver Cromwell’s government, only to fall into obscurity himself after the Restoration and subsequent Great Ejection of 1662, during which time he must have lost his office.

I provide readers with a blazon [ a correct description of armorial bearings ]

CREST : A Goat’s head Argent, horned or bearded Argent.

ESCUTCHEON : Parted per pale, dexter, Argent per fess Sable, a Chevron Sable between three birds Sable, and in base a bend Sable engrailed between two bendlet’s Sable, sinister , Vert, a bend Argent engrailed between two bendlet’s.

This exquisite portrait captures the essence of his intellectual prowess and unwavering devotion to his faith.

Baxters stern yet contemplative gaze reflects his deep commitment to theological discourse and spiritual introspection.

His countenance exudes wisdom gained through years of dedicated study and fervent engagement with religious matters.

His poetic compositions and hymns continue to inspire generations with their profound messages of faith and devotion.

It stands as a powerful reminder of an extraordinary individual whose life exemplified dedication to God and intellectual pursuit.

FRAME MEASUREMENTS

Height : 5ft 7” x Width 4ft.9”

Height : 67 Inches x Width 57 Inches

CONDITION

Past historic reline and refurbished stretchers.

Past light clean and retouching to background

DELIVERY : UK £200 / EU £1000 / USA £1200

Date of Manufacture

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Portrait to the 17th Century.

Physical Dimensions

Height

170cm (66.93")

Width

145cm (57.09")

Depth

14cm (5.51")

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1245865

Dealers Internal Reference

0935

Dealers Notes

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PAY-PAL Account Holders are welcome. CHEQUES Drawn from UK banks.

Description

C1660’s Huge Oil Portrait Of RICHARD BAXTER

“

Fine 17th Century Oil Portrait on canvas of esteemed figure Richard Baxter, a prominent English Puritan church leader who lived from 1615 to 1691.

Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art

There were many depictions and illustrations of the sitter which vary greatly through the centuries and one example is attached last.

fig 1. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 1. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

Richard Baxter, the famous pastor from Kidderminster, claimed in his extensive memoirs that Cromwell’s troops gathered themselves into a church. At some point at the start of the war – Baxter is not clear – he was invited to be a pastor over Cromwell’s troops. Baxter’s account of this invitation appears within the context of his first visit to the New Model Army in Leicester after the battle of Naseby.

fig 2. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 2. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

This portrait, dating from approximately c1660 depicts a Nonconformist Protestant minister, indicated by his long skull cap and collar also known as a ‘falling band’ which were typical attire of Puritan,Congregationalist and Presbyterian clergymen in the mid 17th century.

fig 3. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 3. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

ABOUT : RICHARD BAXTER

Richard Baxter (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691) was an English Nonconformist church leader and theologian from Rowton, Shropshire, who has been described as ''''''''the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen''''''''. He made his reputation in the late 1630s by his ministry at Kidderminster in Worcestershire, when he also began a long and prolific career as theological writer.

fig 4. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 4. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

Following the Act of Uniformity 1662, Baxter refused an appointment as Bishop of Hereford and was expelled from the Church of England. He became one of the most influential leaders of the Nonconformist movement, spending time in prison. His views remain controversial within the Calvinist tradition of Predestination because he taught that Christians are placed under a type of faith-law.

fig 5. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 5. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

The artist has depicted the Minister in a prominent stance intended to convey his noble status, a fact not only revealed by him holding a pair of brown leather gloves but also a cane, both common artistic motifs shown in portraits of gentlemen throughout the 17th century period , often with the inclusion of personal family crest of arms as seen in our portrait in the upper right corner.

fig 6. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 6. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

The erasure of the motto underneath the Coat Of Arms, as well as the obscurity of these arms, are significant facts with a plausible explanation in that the Minister likely received his personal arms during the Interregnum, perhaps being of importance to Oliver Cromwell’s government, only to fall into obscurity himself after the Restoration and subsequent Great Ejection of 1662, during which time he must have lost his office.

fig 7. A 17th-century oil portrait depicting a standing Puritan clergyman in a dark robe and flat white collar, holding gloves, with a coat of arms in the top right corner. — fig 7. Richard Baxter Puritan Minister C1660 English Religious 17th Oil Portrait Paintings

I provide readers with a blazon [ a correct description of armorial bearings ]

CREST : A Goat’s head Argent, horned or bearded Argent.

ESCUTCHEON : Parted per pale, dexter, Argent per fess Sable, a Chevron Sable between three birds Sable, and in base a bend Sable engrailed between two bendlet’s Sable, sinister , Vert, a bend Argent engrailed between two bendlet’s.