Admiral George Delaval, MP (1668 -1723)
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1710 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1245 x 991 mm (49 x 39 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
NT 1276696
Caption
Admiral George Delaval was only left £100 by his father, but managed to amass a vast fortune through his naval and diplomatic careers. He was the younger son of George Delaval of Dissington, and nephew of Sir Ralph Delaval (1641 – 1707), under whose patronage he started his naval career. His wealth enabled him to buy out his squabbling and impoverished relations and rescue the Seaton estate. Inspired by Castle Howard, Admiral George approached Vanbrugh in the hope he might repair the old building at Seaton. Vanbrugh decided the house was beyond repair, and drew up plans for Seaton Delaval Hall. Work started in 1718, but neither patron nor architect saw the work completed. Admiral George died in June 1723, having fallen from his horse. The estate and unfinished hall passed to his nephew, Captain Francis Blake Delaval (1692 – 1752).
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Admiral George Delaval (1660-1723) by Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), signed and dated, bottom left, in large black paint: G. Kneller / 1710. A three-quarter-length portrait, facing, left hand on plinth, right hand gesturing towards a ship in the background on the left.
Full description
Younger son of George Delaval of Dissington, and nephew of Sir Ralph Delaval (1641 – 1707). Having only been left £100 by his father, he entered the Navy under the patronage of his uncle, and by 1695 he had been promoted to Captain. He amassed a fortune from both his naval and diplomatic careers; he was envoy to the Emperor of Fez and Morocco, and in 1710 became envoy to the King of Portugal. He returned after three years and was elected as MP for West Looe in 1715, but continued his naval career. In 1718 he was appointed Rear Admiral. He reportedly collected Italian Old Master Paintings, and was a friend of Congreve and Swift, whom he tried to get Kneller to paint. His wealth enabled him to buy out his squabbling and impoverished relations (notably Sir Edward Blackett, who had married Diana, the widow of the elder Sir Ralph Delaval) and rescue the Seaton estate (see M. Green, The Delavals , A Family History, Newcastle upon Tyne, p.16 ff.). Inspired by Castle Howard, Admiral George approached Vanbrugh in the hope he might repair the old building at Seaton. Vanbrugh decided the house was beyond repair, and drew up plans for Seaton Delaval Hall, the work starting in 1718. Neither patron nor architect saw the work completed. Admiral George died in June 1723, having fallen from his horse. The estate and unfinished hall passed to his nephew, Captain Francis Blake Delaval (1692 – 1752). (see M. Green, The Delavals , A Family History, Newcastle upon Tyne, pp.19 ff.)
Provenance
Accepted in lieu of tax by H.M. Treasury and transferred to the National Trust in 2009
Credit line
Seaton Delaval, The Hastings Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Bottom left, in large black script (possibly later): G. Kneller / 1710
Makers and roles
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), artist