Portrait of a Gentleman in Armour C.1715; Circle of William Aikman (1682-1731), Antique Oil on Canvas Painting

The gentleman in this portrait is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of portraiture that, in addition to capturing a likeness, emphasised or embellished one’s importance. Painted circa 1715 the subject has been depicted in armour over a white necktie and instead of a wig he has chosen to wear his own natural hair.

The attire is an indication of status and subjects often quite consciously engineered their public image in an ambition to stand out from others. Portraiture was often regarded as a means of displaying achievements, capabilities and superiority. Sometimes the fine armour seen in portraiture of the period was never used in actual battle. Sitters in these portraits were often placed in outdoor settings sometimes with military encampments or amongst battlefields. Here, the artist has chosen to concentrate solely on the sitter without any distractions. This is a fine example from the period. The reverse of the canvas contains a label ‘Padley Hall Collection’. Held in a cassetta type frame.

William Aikman was a Scottish portrait-painter. He trained under John de Medina (1659-1710), one of the most prominent artists working in Edinburgh of that date. He later travelled to London, where he enlisted at one of the artists’ academies there, and then he travelled through Italy to Turkey to further his studies. Returning to Scotland in 1711, his knowledge of the greatest works of the Italian Renaissance equipped him to inherit the practice of Medina after his death. He he patronised by many aristocratic and royal individuals.

Provenance: Padley Hall is a Grade II listed property located at Ripley, England dating from about the year 1614 but with late 19th century additions. It was noted in the Domesday book. The history of the house is apparently unwritten. It appears, however, that in 1679 it was the home of Robert Fearne, a Quaker, who was imprisoned for non-payment of tithes. On his release he emigrated to Pennsylvania and was one of the earliest settlers there. The building is an important example of a Derbyshire Hall of the period. It was known to be frequented by author and poet DH Lawrence.

Measurements: Height 70cm, Width 61cm, Depth 6cm framed (Height 27.5”, Width 24”, Depth 2.25” framed)

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