Sir Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans (1561-1626)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1618 - 1626
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
552 x 451 mm (21 ¾ x 17 ¾ in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129151
Caption
Francis Bacon was the younger son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, by his second wife, Ann Cooke. He was an early protégé of the Earl of Essex, but later investigated his revolt and secured his conviction. He married Alice Barnham in 1606, but they had no children. He was appointed Attorney-General in 1613, was made Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in 1617 and Lord Chancellor in 1618, when he was also ennobled as Baron Verulam. These honours cannot have been unconnected with his royal favour. His increasing unpopularity led to a bribery conviction by the House of Lords in 1621, dismissal from the Chancellorship, and brief imprisonment in the Tower of London. After his release he devoted himself to authorship and to scientific investigations. He died from bronchitis, having reportedly left his coach to gather snow, in which he had tried to preserve the flesh of a dead bird.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Sir Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Albans (1561-1626), British (English) School, early 17th century. A bust portrait, facing slightly left, gazing at spectator, pale brown moustache and spade beard, wearing Chancellor's robes with white lace ruff and tall black hat. He was Lord Chancellor in 1618.
Provenance
In 1786 - 1792 Catalogue of Hardwick Hall; 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)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist