Possibly Thomas Brudenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan (1578-1663)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1660
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
749 x 622 mm (29 1/2 x 24 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129138
Caption
Variously identified as the 3rd or the 4th Earl of Southampton, the sitter bears no resemblance to either. Natural beards were unusual in England at this period, so both sitter and artist were possibly foreign. A more likely candidate for the sitter is Thomas Brudenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan (1578-1663). Brudenell and his father-in-law were ardent Catholics and Royalists, and both suffered crippling fines and frequent imprisonments for their beliefs. Their estate, Deene Park was plundered in 1643 by Cromwell’s troops, who stole his precious library, and did damage to a value of £10,000. Thomas was released in 1650, at that point a frail old man, after four years imprisonment, but managed to recover much of his library. On 20 April, 1661, three days before his coronation, Charles II made him Earl of Cardigan.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Possibly Thomas Brudenell, 1st Earl of Cardigan (1578 - 1663), British (English) School, circa 1660. A half-length portrait, almost facing, large grey beard and moustache, brownish shoulder-length hair, wearing black dress and white lawn collar.
Provenance
In 1811 inventory; and thence 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
Credit line
Hardwick Hall, The Devonshire Collection (acquired through the National Land Fund and transferred to The National Trust in 1959)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist