Portrait of a Royalist Officer, 17th Century, Follower of William Dobson (1611-1646)

Oil on canvas.

Standing proud, a handsome and youthful Royalist officer from the English Civil war is portrayed in armour wearing an eye-catching sash over his shoulder. His long fair hair displays a natural wave and was popular in the seventeenth century and his attire demonstrates importance and prowess. The style and type of this portrait was popular in England in the middle of the 17th century when the English Civil war was raging throughout the country. The artist was from the 17th Century English School and would have been familiar with the works of William Dobson, who has been described as the most distinguished purely British painter before Hogarth.

Sashes were as much a military necessity as they were fashionable dress. First worn to distinguish opposing combatants on the battlefield they denoted rank and allegiances. By the middle years of the 17th century they were an accessory for men - there are lavishly decorated examples in portraits from the 1630s to 1650s, sometimes worn with buff coats and breastplates.

Very little is known about William Dobson or his work before 1642 when, during the Civil War, he moved with Charles I's court to Oxford. Charles's portraitist Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641) had died the previous year, and Dobson seems to have filled the vacuum left by his death, although it is not clear whether he ever held an official court post. Between 1642 and 1646, he worked in Oxford, painting both the various courtiers, and also the King himself. One of his most celebrated works is the portrait of Endymion Porter (Tate N01249), thought to date from the earlier part of this period. When Oxford fell to the Parliamentarians in May 1646, Dobson appears to have returned to London.

Measurements: Height 89cm, Width 78cm framed (Height 35”, Width 30.75” framed)

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a distinct advantage: we sift through thousands of works to provide a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works