Portrait of Richard Temple , First Viscount Cobham (?) C.1695; by John Closterman.

Superb quality portrait, oil on canvas, later mounted on board, in the original fine carved and giltwood 17th century frame. This excellent portrait is typical of the height of the Baroque period; the handsome sitter relaxes in an expensive and fashionable silk 'tea gown', his costly wig flows over his shoulders.

It is believed that the portrait is of Richard Temple , first Viscount Cobham (1675–1749), politician and landowner, was born on 24 October 1675, the first child of Sir Richard Temple, third baronet (1634–1697), of Stowe, Buckinghamshire, and MP for Buckingham. Temple was a British soldier and Whig politician. After serving as a junior officer under William III during the Williamite War in Ireland and during the Nine Years' War, he fought under John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, during the War of the Spanish Succession. During the War of the Quadruple Alliance Temple led a force of 4,000 troops on a raid on the Spanish coastline which captured Vigo and occupied it for ten days before withdrawing.

In Parliament he generally supported the Whigs but fell out with Sir Robert Walpole in 1733. He was known for his ownership of and modifications to the estate at Stowe and for serving as a political mentor to the young William Pitt.

A full length portrait of Cobham can be seen at Fairfax House, York, painted about the same time as this one. The likeness is remarkable.

JOHN CLOSTERMAN (1660-1711) was born in Osnabruck, the son of an artist. His early training was from his father, but in 1679 he moved to Paris where for two years he studied under the portraitist Francois de Troy.

In 1681 Closterman came to England and entered into partnership with the established portrait painter John Riley.

By 1683 he had developed an independent practice; he was adept at baroque poses still with a slightly French influence, with rather flashily painted drapery

His clients were mainly from the intellectual and professional middle classes, and included some of the leading writers, artists, musicians and physicians of the day.

In the 1690's, as his reputation grew, he painted for more exalted and aristocratic patrons, like the Dukes of Somerset and Marlborough.

He lived in great splendour in his house in Covent Garden, London, with his wife Hannah.

In 1699, after a visit to Rome, he fell under the spell of the Antique and painted his famous full length portraits of the Earl of Shaftesbury in Classical pose.

Closterman's last documented portrait is 1704, and he devoted his last years to dealing in Old Master paintings.

An exhibition of his work was held by the National Portrait Gallery in 1981 under the title of 'Master of the Baroque Portrait'.

SIZE: 37 x 32.5 inches inc. frame.

Provenance: Hampshire Private Collection.