An Unknown Gentleman of the Clive Family, aged 30
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1700 - 1799
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
825 x 610 mm (32 ½ x 24 in )
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180921
Caption
Although this painting has the appearance of a sixteenth century portrait, it is thought to be a later, probably eighteenth century creation. The identity of the sitter is unknown, but an inscription records his age as 30, and the arms and motto of the Clive family are also depicted. It may have been conceived as a copy of an earlier, now lost work; alternatively, it might have simply been painted in an outmoded, historical style, to cultivate a notion of ancestry. Incongruously, it is housed in an eighteenth century Venetian mirror frame.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, An Unknown Gentleman of the Clive Family, aged 30, English School, 18th century. Inscribed top right: Aetatis Suae 30. A half -length portrait wearing armour. 16th century style, though possibly an 18th century portrait. Arms and motto of the Clive family, top left.
Provenance
Brought to Powis Castle from Walcot Hall in 1930. Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963
Credit line
Powis Castle, The Powis Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist