Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Portrait to the 17th Century.
The sitter is depicted looking directly at the viewer; he has an intelligent and strong face. This is a sensitive and insightful portrait giving a real insight into the his character.
He also wears a large and very expensive wig; the expression 'bigwig' for a rich or important person comes from this fashion.
JOHN RILEY, or Ryley, (1646 – March 1691) was an English portrait painter. He painted portraits of Charles II and James II, and was Court Painter to William III and Mary II. One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson.
Riley was born in London, one of the sons of William Riley or Ryley, Lancaster Herald and Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London, who was created Norroy king-at-arms under the Commonwealth, but reverted to his herald's office at the Restoration.
Riley studied painting under Isaac Fuller and Gerard Soest, and from the latter learnt a forcible, straightforward style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy.
Riley did not attain much eminence until the death of Sir Peter Lely, when courtier and royal official Thomas Chiffinch sat for him, and was so much pleased with his portrait that he showed it to the king. Charles II gave Riley some commissions, and eventually himself sat for him. Riley also painted James II and his queen, and, on the accession of William and Mary, he was appointed Court Painter.
Riley was said to be a quiet, modest man, very diffident of his own art, but his portraits are truthful and lifelike. With more self-confidence he might have attained to the position of Lely or Kneller.
SIZE: 35 x 30 inches inches framed.
PROVENANCE: Private Collection, London.
Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Oil Portrait to the 17th Century.
Roy and nadine precious: specialists in portraiture from the 16th to the 20th century. Established in 1972.
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Portrait of a Gentleman C.1675: Attributed to John Riley.
