Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1533 – 1588)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1565
Materials
Oil on panel (oak)
Measurements
370 x 490 mm
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129154
Caption
Robert Dudley was the fifth son of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. He married Amye Robsart in 1550, and was later created Baron Denbigh and Earl of Leicester in 1564. His sister-in-law was Lady Jane Grey, who was briefly proclaimed Queen in 1553. He was fortunately pardoned for this association, after her execution, by Mary. Dudley experienced a chequered personal life. He was an intimate friend of the young Elizabeth and paid court to her when she became queen. The sudden, if not convenient, death of his first wife allowed him – after acquittal from a murder charge – to secretly marry Lady Sheffield, whose husband he is said to have poisoned. A third marriage also aroused some suspicion over the circumstances of the late husband’s death. Dudley spent his final years campaigning in Spain, before dying of fever, or according to some authorities, poison.
Summary
Oil painting on oak panel (cradled), Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1533 – 1588), British (English) School, inscribed, top right, in antiquarian hand: Henricus Cavendissius / De Chatsworth, circa 1565. Portrait bust, turned slightly to the right, gazing at spectator, wearing a black doublet enriched with jewels, gold chain, white lawn ruff over high collar and black cap with pink feather. Some of the portraits, like this one were 're-christened' by the 5th Duke of Devonshire, hence the erroneous inscription. It has close similarities to a portrait in the Wallace Collection.
Provenance
In inventory of the contents of Hardwick Hall made in 1601 and attached to the will of Elizabeth Hardwick,Countess of Shrewsbury (c.1520-1608) as 'The Erle of Leycester' in the Drawing Room; and thence by descent until, following the death of Edward William Spencer Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire (1895 - 1950), 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
Recto: top right in antiquarian hand Henricus Cavendissius/De Chatsworth Verso: Label in black on gold tape: [number obscured by CC no.739] HENRY CAVENDISH
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist possibly Steven van der Meulen (? Antwerp fl.1543 – 1563), artist
References
Laing 1989 Alastair Laing, “Rechristenings at Hardwick,” Country Life, 9 March 1989, pp.134-5