Portrait of a Gentleman, 17th Century, Circle of William Dobson (1611-1646)

An important large English Old Master portrait of a gentleman, executed during the English Civil War period. The sitter wears a white chemise and cloak and his hair – natural, long, and flowing - is typical of the era. This is an investment piece with confirmed excellent provenance. Showing Van Dykes influence, notably with the modelling and placement of the hand, this is a talented work. The face also shows skill, especially the form, and the nose. The artist has not made the portrait grandiose with classical architecture and military symbolism, but aimed to create a sensitive and concentrated likeness of a reputable and civilised gentleman.

This portrait was in the collection of the Earls of Wharncliffe, confirmed by the auction stencil on verso (348 LP – see photo). The stencil acknowledges that it was sold at Christies London on 23rd May 1958 (Lot: 15) by the Trustees of the Earl of Wharncliffe Settled Estates. It was listed in the sale as by “Dobson - PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN, in white dress and brown cloak”. A recent sensitive light clean to remove thick discoloured varnish now reveals the brushwork and depth.

William Dobson (1611-1646) was England’s first truly great portrait painter and court painter to King Charles I. He was an artist of huge importance because he witnessed and recorded one of the crucial moments in British history, the English Civil War (1642-1646) and he captured its spirit and painted the people involved (Van Dyke was a great painter but he died just a few weeks before the outbreak of the war). From 1645 his portraits begin to capture the insecure and worried glances of those still left in Oxford, suffused with a melancholy sadness reflected by a thin application of paint – as in the present example.

Soldiers on both sides of the war were depicted in portraiture in very similar ways. They were not, on the whole, shown as the Roundheads and Cavaliers as in popular history – and in fact it is usually impossible to gauge their political allegiances from the style of their portraiture.

Wortley Hall (see photo) was the home of the Earl’s of Wharncliffe and is thought to have been built in the 1580’s.

Presented in a lovely antique oak cassetta frame, complimenting the painting very well, and ready to hang.

Provenance: Christies London 23 May 1958 (lot 15) where consigned by the Trustees of the Earl of Wharncliffe Settled Estates.

Measurements: Height 86cm, Width 79cm framed (Height 33.75”, Width 31” framed)

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