Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1750s.

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His left hand is particukarly well painted with good detail and reasonable proportion.

In all a colourful portrait in lovely condition after recent restoration.
The deliberate stance and concentrated gaze into the eyes of the viewer,makes this work one to remember.
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ABOUT SIR WALTER RALEIGH

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Sir Walter Raleigh c. 1554 – 29 October 1618) was an English aristocrat, writer, poet, soldier, courtier, spy, and explorer. He is also well known for popularising tobacco in England.
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Raleigh was born to a Protestant family in Devon, the son of Walter Raleigh and Catherine Champernowne. Little is known of his early life, though he spent some time in Ireland, in Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath, taking part in the suppression of rebellions and participating in the Siege of Smerwick.

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Later he became a landlord of property confiscated from the native Irish. He rose rapidly in the favour of Queen Elizabeth I, and was knighted in 1585.
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Instrumental in the English colonisation of North America, Raleigh was granted a royal patent to explore Virginia, which paved the way for future English settlements.

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In 1591 he secretly married Elizabeth Throckmorton, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, without the Queen's permission, for which he and his wife were sent to the Tower of London.
After his release, they retired to his estate at Sherborne, Dorset.

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In 1594 Raleigh heard of a "City of Gold" in South America and sailed to find it, publishing an exaggerated account of his experiences in a book that contributed to the legend of "El Dorado".
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After Queen Elizabeth died in 1603 Raleigh was again imprisoned in the Tower, this time for allegedly being involved in the Main Plot against King James I, who was not favourably disposed toward him.

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In 1616 he was released to lead a second expedition in search of El Dorado. This was unsuccessful and men under his command ransacked a Spanish outpost.
He returned to England and, to appease the Spanish, was arrested and executed in 1618.

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Raleigh was one of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era.
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CONDITION.
This portrait is in good condition throughout and is ready to hang.Has been properly relined in the past after light clean.

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MEASUREMENTS (Including Frame)
Height 25.5 Inches
Width 22.25 Inches
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PROVENANCE
By decent from a private collectors family estate.
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FRAME
A good quality frame veneered in a mahogany veeneer and darkly polished.

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This is a desirable acquisition for most fine art collectors of an important person of great historic significence.
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DELIVERY UK MAINLAND & WORLDWIDE
QUOTES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
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OUR REF 0489 * GENUINE BARGAIN
Mansion House Antiques & Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1750s.
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