Called Elizabeth Spencer, Lady Craven (1618-1672)
attributed to John Weesop (fl.1641 - 1649) (d.1652)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1640
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
381 x 305 mm (15 x 12 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180933
Caption
This portrait is thought to depict Elizabeth Spencer, before to her marriage to John Craven, 1st Baron Craven of Ryton, in 1643. However, it bears little resemblance to another portrait of the same sitter (NT 1180919), and may represent a case of mistaken identity. It is attributed to John Weesop, who came to England in 1641 – the year that the leading court painter in England, Anthony Van Dyck, died. So similar was Weesop’s style to Van Dyck’s that William Sykes, a seventeenth century artist and picture dealer, later claimed that many pictures painted by Weesop were mistaken for those produced by his predecessor.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Called Elizabeth Spencer, Lady Craven (1618-1672), attributed to John Weesop (fl.1641 - London 1649), previously thought to be manner of Theodore Roussel (London 1614 - London 1689). A half-length portrait, thought to depict the daughter of the 2nd Lord Spencer and wife of John, Lord Craven of Ryton, wearing a pearl necklace and pearl drop pendant earrings, in a yellow dress.
Provenance
Accepted by HM Treasury on 21st March, 1963 in lieu of tax and conveyed to National Trust ownership on 29th November 1963
Credit line
Powis Castle, The Powis Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
attributed to John Weesop (fl.1641 - 1649) (d.1652), artist previously catalogued as manner of Theodore Roussel (London 1614 - London 1689), artist
References
Steegman 1957 John Steegman, A Survey of Portraits in Welsh Houses, Vol.I: North Wales, Cardiff, 1957, no. 13