Sir Francis Walsingham, MP (c.1530 - 1590), Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, 1578-88 or Sir John Wolley, MP (d. 1596), Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, 1589-96
attributed to Hieronymus Custodis (d. c.1593)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1585 - 1588
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
1020 x 860 x 65 mm
Order this imageCollection
Kingston Lacy Estate, Dorset
NT 1257219
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Sir Francis Walsingham, MP (c.1530 - 1590), Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, 1578-88 or Sir John Wolley, MP (d. 1596), Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, 1589-96, attributed to Hieronymus Custodis (fl. in England 1589 -d.1593), possibly John de Critz the elder (Antwerp 1551/2 – London 1642), circa 1585 -1588. Inscribed, top left hand-corner: [F],ILIVS QVEM NVLLA POTEST SATIS VMBRA REFERRE / QVALISCVNQ[VE] TAMEN QVÆRITVR VMBRA MIHI / [U]T QVEM NVILA QVEVNT AD VIVUM VF()RBA REFERRE / QVALICVNQ[VE] MODO SIGNIFICETVR AMO [RIS]I / SCILICET ILLIVS MIHI.GRATIOR.VMBRA, SVB VMBRA / CVIVS AMICITIA GRATIOR IPSE MIHI [The son, whom no shadow [or] imperfect copy can adequately bring back. Nonetheless, a shadow [of him] of whatever kind is sought for by me, whom not only no words are able to bring back to life, But also, by whatever love is signified/ The shadow of him is evidently dearer to me/ Under the shadow of whose friendship [the shadow] itself is dearer to me.] A half-length portrait, turned to the right, looking out, with trimmed black beard, curled moustachios; dressed in black, with goffered white lace collar and cuffs; Garter with rose in centre (the badge of the Chancellor of the Order, before Bishops of Salisbury became ex officio) suspended from three fine gold chains around neck; right hand on a red book on, the left holding a letter.
Provenance
first recorded in 1731; bequeathed by (Henry John) Ralph Bankes (1902 – 1981) to the National Trust, together with the estates of Corfe Castle and Kingston Lacy and its entire contents, 1981
Credit line
Kingston Lacy, The Bankes Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: [F],ILIVS QVEM NVLLA POTEST SATIS VMBRA REFERRE / QVALISCVNQ[VE] TAMEN QVÆRITVR VMBRA MIHI / [U]T QVEM NVILA QVEVNT AD VIVUM VF()RBA REFERRE / QVALICVNQ[VE] MODO SIGNIFICETVR AMO [RIS]I / SCILICET ILLIVS MIHI.GRATIOR.VMBRA, SVB VMBRA / CVIVS AMICITIA GRATIOR IPSE MIHI (top left corner) Verso: old red wax seal on the back with the Bankes coat of arms
Makers and roles
attributed to Hieronymus Custodis (d. c.1593), artist possibly John de Critz, the Elder (Antwerp 1551/52 - London 1642), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Steven van der Meulen (? Antwerp fl.1543 – 1563), artist
References
Kingston Lacy 1982 Christie’s, The National Trust,. Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset, Valuation for Insurance. Pictures, Drawings and Prints, Vol.1, 1982, no.7