James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745)
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 - London 1723)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1695 - 1720
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1270 x 1016 mm (50 x 40 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129142
Caption
James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde was the son of Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory (1634-1680) and Lady Amelia de Nassau, and grandson of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610-1688), whom he succeeded. He held appointments under James II, but changed his support to William III in 1688 - the year he succeeded to his dukedom. He was appointed High Constable at his coronation and served with bravery at the Boyne, Steinkirk and Landen. He became Commander in Chief of the army under Queen Anne, but was later suspected of Jacobite sympathies and lost his office. He joined the exiled Stuarts and spent the remainder of his life refusing reconciliation with the house of Hanover. A fine soldier, as a statesman ‘he often followed the advice of those who had a smaller share of sense than himself (and)... was as irresolute and timorous in affairs as he was brave in person’.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, James Butler, 2nd Duke of Ormonde (1665-1745) by Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723). A three-quarter length portrait, turned slightly to the right, facing, gazing at spectator, wearing armour, blue sash and white jabot, a baton in his right hand, his left on his hip, his helmet placed at the left; cavalry in the distance, right.
Provenance
In Swift 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 (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
bottom left James, Duke of Ormond
Makers and roles
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 - London 1723), artist attributed to Michael Dahl (Stockholm 1659 - London 1743), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Dirk Maes (Haarlem 1659 - 1717), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Charles d'Agar (Paris 1669 - London 1723), artist
References
Ingamells, 2009: John Ingamells, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, National Portrait Gallery, London, 2009, p.200, as attributed to Michael Dahl and c.1700-1705