Portrait of 1st Duke of Albemarle, 18th Century, After Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680)

An impressive scale portrait of General George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle standing three-quarter length in an interior wearing Garter robes and the order of the garter collar, pendant, and star, oil on canvas. This infamous character has been portrayed in an interior with a red curtain pulled back and shipping visible through a background window. General Monck (born at Potheridge in Devon in 1608) played a key role in the Restoration of Charles II in 1660 (along with Samuel Pepys' patron Edward Montagu). He was an accomplished military commander and naval captain was General of the land forces and Admiral at Sea under Cromwell. For his services he was rewarded with the title Duke of Albemarle. His life and antics are heavily documented and as such an important figure his portrait was depicted by the greats of his age such as Robert Walker (was in the possession of the Earl of Sandwich), Sir Peter Lely (was in the Painted hall at Greenwich and Lord Chancellor Clarendon), Jacob Huysmans, John Michael Wright et al. He died 3 January 1670 and a grand marble effigy stands in Westminster Abbey. The armour from the funeral effigy which lay on his hearse still exists in the Abbey collection (this stood near his grave, with his banners and pennons, for many years). Other official titles that he held are George Monck, 1st duke of Albemarle, earl of Torrington, Baron Monck of Potheridge, Beauchamp and Teyes, George Monk, 1st duke of Albemarle, earl of Torrington, Baron Monck of Potheridge, Beauchamp and Teyes. Dalkeith House, Monck's headquarters in Scotland (see photo).

The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry and the third most prestigious honour in the United Kingdom. It is dedicated to the image and arms of Saint George and the motto of the order is HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (the shame be his who thinks ill of it).

Provenance: Christies London 23 March 1956, by Major John Marjoribanks Eskdale (1908-1996) of Ladykirk (see photo). Major Eskdale was an officer in Grenadier Guards, Brigadier in Royal Company of Archers, and Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire (1955). He married Lady Susan Alice (1913-2010), a daughter of John Francis Granville Scrope Egerton, 4th Earl of Ellesmere. He lived at Ladykirk House (see photo).

Sir Peter Lely (English, 1618 - 1680) was born in Soest, Germany, of Dutch parents. In 1637 he was registered as a pupil of Pieter de Grebber in his father's home town of Haarlem. He came to London in about 1643, and in 1647 painted the children of Charles I, in custody during the Civil War. By the end of the Commonwealth, he was the best-known portrait painter in England and, after the restoration of Charles II, he was appointed Principal Painter to the king in 1661. His almond-eyed society beauties are seductive whilst some of his male portraits can show a more serious side. The output of his studio was huge, Lely relied heavily on assistants. He was knighted the year of his death.

Measurements: Height 146cm, Width 122cm framed (Height 57.5”, Width 48” framed)

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