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ID #SA836671
FOR SALE
£4,200
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Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley
Benton Fine Art
for sale €4,914     $5,334
£4,200
Benton Fine Art

Benton Fine Art

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    Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists
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Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

17th century
For Sale by Benton Fine Art
Description

Circle of John Riley

British, (1646-1691)

Portrait of a Gentleman

Oil on canvas

Image size: 29 inches x 24 inches

Size including frame: 36 inches x 31 inches

A fine half-length portrait of a gentleman set in a feigned stone oval, C1690, circle of John Riley. The sitter wears a lace jabot over a velvet jacket and is posed in a long dark wig, which was highly fashionable at the time. His bearing and pose indicate this is a gentleman of some standing and has been executed by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by John Riley.

John Riley or Ryley was born in London in 1646 the son of William Ryley, Lancaster Herald and keeper of the records in the Tower of London. He studied painting under Isaac Fuller and Gerard Soest and began earning his living painting portraits of courtiers and the nobility.

After the death of Sir Peter Lely he became one of the leading portrait painters of the day, gaining commissions from King Charles II and James II to paint portraits. He was later appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary, jointly with Sir Godfrey Kneller, to King William and Queen Mary. One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson (1667–1745) who later married his niece. Riley died in 1691, and was buried in the church of St Botolph in Bishopsgate.

His work is held by a number of public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Birmingham Museum, Bodleian Library, Christchurch College, Cromwell Museum, English Heritage, National Portrait Gallery, National Trust, Traquair House and Walker Art Gallery.

Presentation: The painting is housed in a period ebonised and gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Physical Dimensions
Height
91.5cm (36.02")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Declaration

Benton Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Portrait Painting to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA836671
Dealers Notes

Members of the British Antique Dealers Association (BADA) the London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association (LAPADA).

We use a professional, fully insured and tracked door to door service for our UK and international deliveries. Please contact us for further information and shipping quotes.

Viewing is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. However, we can also arrange for you to view the item in your home, depending on the location.

For a wider range of stock please visit www.bentonfineart.com.

If you would like to purchase this item or have any questions, please email us at pictures@bentonfineart.com or call 07710 540549.

© Benton Fine Art

Description
Circle of John Riley

British, (1646-1691)

Portrait of a Gentleman

Oil on canvas

Image size: 29 inches x 24 inches

Size including frame: 36 inches x 31 inches

A fine half-length portrait of a gentleman set in a feigned stone oval, C1690, circle of John Riley.

“
The sitter wears a lace jabot over a velvet jacket and is posed in a long dark wig, which was highly fashionable at the time.
Benton Fine Art

His bearing and pose indicate this is a gentleman of some standing and has been executed by an artist of great ability who has been influenced by John Riley.

fig 1. A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
fig 1. Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

John Riley or Ryley was born in London in 1646 the son of William Ryley, Lancaster Herald and keeper of the records in the Tower of London. He studied painting under Isaac Fuller and Gerard Soest and began earning his living painting portraits of courtiers and the nobility.

fig 2. A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
fig 2. Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

After the death of Sir Peter Lely he became one of the leading portrait painters of the day, gaining commissions from King Charles II and James II to paint portraits. He was later appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary, jointly with Sir Godfrey Kneller, to King William and Queen Mary. One of his pupils was Jonathan Richardson (1667–1745) who later married his niece. Riley died in 1691, and was buried in the church of St Botolph in Bishopsgate.

fig 3. A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
fig 3. Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

His work is held by a number of public collections including the Ashmolean Museum, Birmingham Museum, Bodleian Library, Christchurch College, Cromwell Museum, English Heritage, National Portrait Gallery, National Trust, Traquair House and Walker Art Gallery.

fig 4. A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
fig 4. Portrait Oil Painting of a Gentleman, C1690, Circle of John Riley

Presentation: The painting is housed in a period ebonised and gilt frame which is in excellent condition.

Condition: As with all of our original antique oil paintings, this work is offered in ready to hang gallery condition, having been professionally cleaned, restored and revarnished.

© Benton Fine Art

Height
91.5cm (36.02")
Width
79cm (31.10")
Depth
5cm (1.97")
Date of Manufacture

Benton Fine Art has dated this 17th Century Portrait Painting to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA836671
Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2012

Specialists in 19th & early 20th century original oil paintings by listed artists

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Benton Fine Art Profile Page

Trade Associations

Benton Fine Art is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA

Relevant Links
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A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
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Archive I A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.

Portrait oil painting of a gentleman, C1690, circle of John Riley

Archive II A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View II
Archive III A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View III
Archive IV A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View IV
Archive V A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View V
Archive VI A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View VI
Archive VII A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View VII
Archive VIII A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View VIII
Archive IX A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding. View IX
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Benton Fine Art

Benton Fine Art
Telephone 07710 540 549
Location
Near Broadway
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/bentonfineart
Verified Since Sep 2012
Items For Sale 209
Benton Fine Art
Benton Fine Art
Verified Since Sep 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Broadway, Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/bentonfineart
Verified
Sep 2012
For Sale
209
A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
Portrait oil painting of a gentleman, C1690, circle of John Riley
Ref: SA836671
A late seventeenth-century oil painting on canvas depicting a gentleman in a dark coat, lace cravat, and full wig framed by a feigned oval spandrel and a gilt moulding.
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FAQs

Late 17th-century Baroque portraiture in Britain often features formal posing, dramatic chiaroscuro, and sitters adorned in elaborate fashion such as full-bottomed wigs and lace cravats. Paintings from this era frequently utilise feigned oval surrounds to frame the subject tightly.

Artisans used hand-mixed oil pigments applied to natural linen or hemp canvas stretched over wooden frames. Decorative frames were typically constructed from carved wood with hand-applied gold leaf over a gesso base.

Authentic period portraits display natural age-related craquelure, historical stretcher construction, and evidence of hand-carved joinery on the reverse. Style markers like period costuming, hair fashion, and tonal palette also align with specific artistic circles of the era.

Positioning an antique portrait above a fireplace mantel or console table creates a striking focal point. Pairing historical artwork with contemporary furniture provides compelling contrast within traditional, eclectically styled, or modern spaces.

Keep the canvas away from direct sunlight, radiators, and areas of high humidity to prevent flaking and warping. Dust gently with a soft dry brush and consult a professional painting conservator for surface cleaning or varnish restoration.
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