Called Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, duc D'Epernon (1554-1642), but probably Honoré d’Albert, Monsieur de Cadenet, later duc de Chaulnes (c.1580–1649)
attributed to Paulus van Somer the elder (Antwerp 1576 – London 1621)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1620 - 1621
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
2184 x 1523 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Knole, Kent
NT 129735
Caption
Previously thought to be the work of the Flemish artist Frans Pourbus the Younger (1569-1622) but now attributed to Paul van Somer, one of the leading painters of the English royal court in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the identification of the sitter of this portrait has also been questioned. In the 18th century, the picture was recorded as a portrait of a French ambassador to the court of James I (1566-1625) and, independently, the identification of Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, duc d’Epernon was proposed. However, there is no evidence of the Duke being ambassador to England. It has most recently been suggested to be a portrait of Honoré d’Albert, Duc de Chaulnes (c.1580-1649).
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Called Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, duc D'Epernon (1554-1642) (but probably Honoré d’Albert, Monsieur de Cadenet, later duc de Chaulnes (c.1580–1649)), attributed to Paulus van Somer the elder (Antwerp 1576 – London 1621), circa 1620/21. A full-length portrait, turned slightly to the right, gazing at the spectator, his left hand on hip, his right hand on a black cane decorated with fleur-de-lys, wearing richly embroidered tight silver doublet and breeches, white ruff and the Order of the St Esprit. On the right is his hat, with a great jewelled aigrette, resting on a table.
Provenance
On loan from the Trustees of the Sackville Estate
Credit line
Knole, The Sackville Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
attributed to Paulus van Somer the elder (Antwerp 1576 – London 1621), publisher previously catalogued as attributed to Frans Pourbus the younger (Antwerp 1569 – Paris 1622), publisher previously catalogued as attributed to Antonis Mor (Utrecht 1519 – Antwerp 1575), publisher