Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox (1516–1571)
British (English) School or Livinus De Vogelaare (fl.c.1600)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
c. 1560 - 1570
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
648 x 521 mm (25 1/2 x 20 1/2 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129108
Caption
This portrait is inscribed as Sir William St Loe, Bess of Hardwick’s third husband, but the sitter is securely identifiable as Matthew Stewart, 4th Earl of Lennox. His appearance matches the likeness in Livinius de Vogelaare’s Memorial of Lord Darnley (Jan 1567/68), in the Royal Collection, Holyroodhouse. The 4th Earl was Regent of Scotland, and Keeper of Dunbarton Castle. He signed the treaty agreeing to surrender Dumbarton and Bute, and to support English overlordship, in exchange for the hand of Lady Margaret Douglas (1515-1572) (d.1578) and the governorship of Scotland. His son, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley became the husband of Mary Queen of Scots, and thus his grandson was James I. His life ended when he was stabbed to death by Captain Calder.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox (1516–1571), British (English) School or Livinus De Vogelaare (active 1551-1600), inscribed: falsely, top left and right of head: [left] SIR WILLIAM ST LOO OF [right] GLOWECESTERSHIRE [left] 3rd HUSBAND TO THE COUNTESS [right] OF SHREWSBURY. A half-length portrait, turned and facing left, wearing a black doublet and cloak, small white ruff, his hands resting on a table, with gloves in his right hand; base of a column, left. This portrait is securely identifiable as that Matthew Stewart (Stuart), 4th Earl of Lennox (1516-1571) from his likeness in Livinius de Vogelaare's Memorial of Lord Darnley (Jan 1567/68): Royal Collection, Holyroodhouse.
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 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
Sir William St Loo of Glowecestershire/3rd husband to the Countess of Shrewsbury
Makers and roles
British (English) School or Livinus De Vogelaare (fl.c.1600) , artist