Thomas Cavendish (d.1477)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1570 - 1599
Materials
Oil on panel (oak)
Measurements
565 x 413 mm (22 ¼ x 16 ¼ in)
Order this imageCollection
Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
NT 1129162
Caption
Although this picture contains the coat of arms that subsequently identified the sitter as George Cavendish (1500-1561), it is thought now that this is instead a portrait of Thomas Cavendish (d.1477). There is no portrait of George mentioned in the 1601 inventory at Hardwick, and it appears that the erroneous coats of arms were added between 1811 and 1860. The likeness of Thomas is almost certainly posthumous, and probably an invention, which might explain the strange, upraised hands.
Summary
Oil painting on oak panel, Thomas Cavendish (d.1477) or George Cavendish (1500-1561), British (English) School, late 16th century. A half-length portrait, turned to left, wearing embroidered tunic with fur collar, his hands uplifted; coat of arms of Cavendish, Scudamore, Brecknock and Smith of Podbrooke. If this picture is of Thomas Cavendish – there was none of George in the 1601 inventory – it is almost certain to be a posthumous – and probably invented – likeness (hence, for instance, the upraised hands) commissioned by a later member of the family out of family piety. The coats of arms that subsequently identified the sitter as George Cavendish were evidently added between 1811 and 1860.
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) 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
References
Laing 1989 Alastair Laing, “Rechristenings at Hardwick,” Country Life, 9 March 1989, pp.134-5