William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire (1551–1625), aged 25
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1576 (inscribed)
Materials
Oil on two oak panels
Measurements
673 x 533 mm (26 1/2 x 21 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129103
Caption
Elizabeth Hardwick (Bess; c.1527-1608) was succeeded at Hardwick by her second son William, who had been created Baron Cavendish of Hardwick in 1605. When his elder brother, Henry, died in 1616 he inherited Chatsworth, but Hardwick remained his principal place of residence. In 1618 (in consideration of a payment of £10,000 to the Crown) he was created Earl of Devonshire. Between 1608 and 1612 he spent £1163 5s 6d on Hardwick. The accounts were entered into a ‘book of building’, but unfortunately this has disappeared and only the weekly totals survive. The sum is considerable in terms of Jacobean monetary values, and it remains unclear as to what it was spent on. There is no individual building of any importance at Hardwick which can be assigned to this time, but it is possible that the panelling the High Great Chamber and the moulded ceilings in the Hall, Long Gallery, Mary Queen of Scots Room and Banqueting Turret date from it.
Summary
Oil painting on two (quite different) oak panels, William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire (1551–1625), aged 25, British (English) School, inscribed in 18th century script, over arms: 1st Earl of Devonshire 1576, aet suae. 25. A half-length portrait, turned to the left, wearing cream coloured doublet, black cloak and white ruff, his hat held in his left hand in front of his body.
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); by descent until, following the death of the 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: In 18th C script, over arms, lst Earl of Devonshire 1576/aet suae. 25 Verso: Labels on back: 1897 Exhibition W.Freeman & Son, Hardwick Hall, inscribed 22/11/1958
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist possibly Cornelis Ketel (Gouda 1548 - Amsterdam 1616), artist