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ANTIQUE #SA998454

Portrait Of A Gentleman, William Seymour, 3rd Duke Of Somerset (1652-1671) C.1658/60; Studio Of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), Antique Oil On Canvas Painting

Status: This item has been sold
Sold by: Titan Fine Art

This exquisite portrait, datable to crica 1658-60, depicts William Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Marquis of Hertford, Viscount Beauchamp, and Baron Seymour. He was the son of Henry Seymour, Lord Beauchamp and Mary Capell, sister of the 1st Earl of Essex.
 
The portrait was painted in the studio of the court painter, Sir Peter Lely. Standing in a porch with classical architecture, resting one arm on a plinth whilst the other holds a pike, he is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of a nobleman. The Roman attire was often used in portraits at this time to provide a sense of timelessness as rapid changes in fashion quickly made portraits appear outdated. The attire, the classical architecture, and the moody sky evokes an Arcadian setting; contemporary audiences were educated and familiar with Latin and Greek poetry and the mere inclusion of such motifs were immediately recognised.
 
Duke of Somerset, from the county of Somerset, is a title that has been created five times. It is particularly associated with two families: the Beauforts (creation of 1448) and the Seymours (creation of 1547) who were descendants of Edward III (1312-1377) and resided at Wulfhall from 1427, the childhood home of Henry VII’s third wife, Jane Seymour, made famous by Hilary Mantel’s historical novel, “Wolf Hall”. Inscribed lower right with the identity of the sitter.
 
Another studio version is in the collection at Longleat House. It was common for several versions of a portrait (by the same hand or another) to be commissioned for different homes, as gifts to children or friends, or descendants wishing to show their noble lineage – both at the time and later in the 18th century. A portrait of “The Duke of Somerset” was sold in 1682 in Lely’s estate sale after his death described as: ‘Copies after Sir Peter Lely, left in his House at his decease, to be Sold with the rest''.
 
The work is presented in a very impressive and unusual carved antique frame – a fine work of art i...
Antique #SA998454, shown on this page, originates from the 17th century. For historical context, the timeline below highlights the period when it was made:
←C17th
Famous inventions historic timeline graphic to help to give historical context to the date of this antique.
CONTACT DETAILS OF SELLER:
TITAN FINE ART PROFILE PHOTO WHICH LINKS TO DEALER PAGE
Titan Fine Art
Specialist dealer in portraits from the 17th to the 20th century. All stock is in excellent condition and can be hung & enjoyed immediately.
London
United Kingdom
STATUS
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD
HISTORIC TIMELINE OPTIONS