Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland (1590-1657)
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1640
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
2184 x 1321 mm (86 x 52 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Plas Newydd, Anglesey
NT 1175918
Caption
Henry Rich was the younger brother of the Earl of Warwick and like him a supporter of the Puritans. He was gentleman to the Bedchamber to Charles I when Prince of Wales. He has been variously been described as an extravagant, decorative, quarrelsome and a highly successful courtier as well a very handsome man, of a lovely and winning presence and gentle conversation. There are several versions of this portrait, one of which was greatly admired by Gainsborough. The original was presumably painted when Rich was in Holland as General of the Horse in 1639. He is in military dress, holds a Commander’s baton and wears a ribbon of the Garter over his breastplate.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland (1590-1657), after Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - Blackfriars 1641), inscribed top left in yellow script: Henry Earl of Holland 1640. Probably painted as General of the Horse in 1st Scottish War.(1639) A full-length portrait, standing, slightly to right, in red breeches, and cuirass over buff jerkin, holding baton in right hand and plumed black hat in left hand.
Provenance
Accepted by HM Government in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the National Trust for display at Plas Newydd, 2016.
Makers and roles
after Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641), artist
References
Barnes, De Poorter, Millar, Vey, 2004 Susan J. Barnes, Nora De Poorter, Oliver Millar and Horst Vey, Van Dyck. A Complete Catalogue of the Paintings, New Haven and London, 2004, IV.135