Portrait of a Gentleman C.1650: English School.

Oil on canvas in a 17th century carved and giltwood frame.

The sitter wears the black clothing and linen band of an academic, probably a doctor of divinity or law.

It is interesting that this portrait belonged to Robert Spencer until his death in 1997 then to Christopher Hogwood...both leading figures in the field of early music. It seems likely then that they both believed this man to be of importance in that field.

Certainly it is a fine portrait of an intelligent and sensitive looking man and the viewer is in intimate proximity to the image which fills the frame with a sense of quiet strength.

SIZE: 20 x 14 inches, canvas.

26.5 x 19 inches inc. frame.

PROVENANCE:Collection of Robert Spencer.

Collection of Christopher Hogwood CBE from 1997 - 2015).

ROBERT ALLEN SPENCER (1832-1997) was a leading figure in the early music field, equally accomplished as a singer, lutenist, guitarist, musicologist and teacher.Spencer taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London for 23 years. He went there originally to teach lute and then took a class in English song. He later started a similar class at the Royal College of Music and taught at numerous conservatories and summer schools both in the UK and abroad. He was regarded as a most sensitive and perceptive teacher.Apart from all his performing and teaching activities, Spencer's musicological researches are equally impressive and lack no respect from the pundits. He contributed numerous articles on a variety of subjects from rediscovered manuscripts to historical evidence gained from paintings.

CHRISTOPHER JARVIS HALEY HOGWOOD, conductor, harpsichordist and musicologist, born 10 September 1941; died 24 September 2014 at home in Cambridge.

Founder of the early music ensemble the Academy of Ancient Music, he was an authority on historically informed performance and a leading figure in the early music revival of the late 20th century.

At the time of his death, Hogwood was Honorary Professor of Music in the University of Cambridge, Consultant Visiting Professor of historical performance in the Royal Academy of Music and visiting professor at King's College London. He was an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge and Pembroke College, Cambridge.

In 1989, Hogwood was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He was the recipient of the Halle Handel Prize in 2008.