William Cavendish, 2nd Earl of Devonshire (1590-1628)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1625 - 1626 (?)
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
762 x 622 mm (30 x 24 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire (Accredited Museum)
NT 1129096
Caption
This picture is inscribed, in yellow flowing script: Cavendo: Tutus – ‘Safety through caution’, the motto of the Cavendish family. Although the 2nd Earl died only two years after his father, he stamped his identity on Harwick Hall with lavish new furnishings. Another picture at the house shows him only a year or two later, but in which he has aged significantly.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, William Cavendish, 2nd Earl of Devonshire (1590-1628), British (English) School, inscribed top left and right in yellow flowing script: Cavendo: Tutus, the motto of the Cavendish family, and inscribed top right in antiquarian half-effaced inscription in yellow: Gulielmus Comes Devoniae/Ao DNI 1625 [or 1626?]. A half-length portrait, turned slightly to the right, head almost facing, wearing armour with white lace collar and embroidered blue, red and silver sash.
Provenance
In 1811 inventory; and thence by descent until, following the death of the 10th Duke of Devonshire, Hardwick Hall and its contents were accepted by HM Treasury in part payment of death duties and transferred to the National Trust, in 1959
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1959)
Marks and inscriptions
Cavendo Tutus
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist