An Unknown Man in Armour
manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1600 - 1699
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
660 x 610 mm (26 x 24 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Lacock, Wiltshire
NT 996270
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, An Unknown Man in Armour, in the manner of Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680). A portrait set within a painted oval, head-and-shoulders, slightly left, wearing breastplate, gold brocade over white sleeve, white stock tied with black ribbon.
Full description
Although the sitter bears some resemblance to Sir John Talbot (1630-1714), of whom there are two portraits at Lacock (P/2 & P/28), and as whom this picture is identified in the NPG, it seems unlikely that it is he. Although he bears a similar slant of nose and set of eye, he does not have a dimple in his chin, his moustache is set at a greater angle, and he is significantly thinner in the face.
Provenance
The redecoration of the Dining Room by John Ivory Talbot (?1691 – 1772) in 1750 provides – if the frames date from that time - a terminus ante quem for the acquisition of the picture; given by Matilda Theresa Talbot (Gilchrist-Clark) (1871 – 1958), who gave the Abbey, the village of Lacock and the rest of the estate to the National Trust in 1944, along with 96 of the family portraits and other pictures, in 1948
Credit line
Lacock Abbey, The Talbot Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
manner of Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680), artist