George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (1528-1590) (after English School 1580)
Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1580 (bears date) - 1599
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
686 x 527 mm (27 x 20 3/4 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129099
Caption
George Talbot married as his second wife, Bess of Hardwick, in 1567. He was head of one of the oldest, grandest and richest families in England, a farmer on an enormous scale, an exploiter of coal mines and glassworks, and an ironmaster and shipowner with interests in lead and steel. The main part of his enormous properties was in the Midlands, like those of his new wife. To some extent their marriage can be seen as the merging of two companies. The deal was clinched by a triple marriage - not only did Lord Shrewsbury marry Bess, but his second son married her daughter Mary, and his daughter married her eldest son Henry. In 1569 Lord Shrewsbury was saddled with the important and unenviable assignment of custody of Mary Queen of Scots. In spite of legend, there is no evidence to suggest she was ever at Hardwick.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (1528-1590) by Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616), after English School, 1580. Inscribed in much later script: GEORGIVS TALBOTVS / COMES SALOP / AN. ÆTAT S 58 / S.H. / 1580 [S.H. = salutis hominum]. A half-length portrait, turned slightly to the left, bearded, wearing dark jerkin, white lawn collar and jewel of the Garter.
Provenance
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
Marks and inscriptions
GEORGIUS TALBOTUS/COMES SALOPIAE/AN.AETATIS 58/S.H./1580 painted on canvas, top left; GEORGE TALBOT, 6th EARL OF SHREWSBURY painted on label across bottom of frame
Makers and roles
Rowland Lockey (c.1565 – London 1616), artist after British (English) School, artist