Lord Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk, later Lord Howard of Castle Rising (1628-1684)
John Michael Wright (bap. London 1617 - London 1694)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1669
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1270 x 1016 mm (50 x 40 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1180956
Caption
Henry Howard was the grandson of Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel – one of the foremost collectors and patrons of the arts in Britain prior to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642. As was the case with many Catholic families, the War forced the Howards into exile on the Continent. During this time, Henry resided in the Low Countries, and later in Italy, before returning to England following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660. On his return, he inherited the collection of his grandfather, who had died in 1646. He added to this collection with many new works, and in particular seems to have been greatly interested in his own image. He commissioned portraits of himself from many of the leading painters of the day, including Adrian Hanneman, Sir Peter Lely, Gilbert Soest, and John Michael Wright (who painted this work). His extravagant attire, which appears distinctly eastern in style, perhaps relates to his 1664-5 embassy to the Turkish Emperor in Constantinople.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Lord Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk (1628-1684) by John Michael Wright (London 1617 - London 1694), circa 1669, when he was created Baron Howard of Castle Rising. A three-quarter-length portrait of 6th Duke of Norfolk, facing slightly right, in embroiderd costume, his right hand on his hip; his left resting on the gilt caryatid arm of an Italianate chair (this appears to have been a studio prop of Wright's, since it recurs in his portraits in a number of variant forms), extravagantly dressed in gold brocade, dark blue cloak, lace collar and full wig. He is standing in the foreground of an Italianate painted hall. He married (firstly) Lady Anne Somerset, eldest sister of Lady Elizabeth, wife of the 1st Marquess of Powis. Probably the portrait of 'the Duke of Norfolk lately dead', which Thomas Dineley noticed hanging in the Long Gallery in 1684.
Provenance
Probably the portrait described located in the Gallery in 'The Account of the Official Progress of His Grace Henry, the First Duke of Beaufort through Wales in 1684' by Thomas Dineley p.69 '1 of the Duke of Norfolk lately dead'. 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
John Michael Wright (bap. London 1617 - London 1694), artist
References
Steegman 1957 John Steegman, A Survey of Portraits in Welsh Houses, Vol.I: North Wales, Cardiff, 1957, No. 26