Sir William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester (?1485 – 1572)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1570 - 1599
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
450 x 310 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Knole, Kent
NT 129747
Caption
Sir William Paulet was the eldest son of Sir John Paulet. He earned, through favour and talent, a number of prominent positions at Court. He was nominated by Henry VIII, in his will, as one of the Council of Regency. Thereafter, he succeeded where so many failed, supporting each Tudor monarch in turn, from proclaiming Mary to obtaining Elizabeth’s favour. Paulet died while still holding the office of Treasurer, an office he had held for over twenty years.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Sir William Paulet, 1st Marquess of Winchester (?1485 – 1572), British (English) School, late 16th Century. A half-length portrait of the godfather to William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire (1551-1626) as an elderly man, turned slightly to the left, gazing at the spectator, with a white tufted beard, wearing chain of office of Lord High Treasurer and holding a wand. He lived through seven monarchs and died aged 97. On being asked how he kept his head on his shoulders through so many years, and amidst the changes and falls of so many Chancellors and great personages, he replied: "Happily I was made of the willow, not of the oak."Another version is at Hardwick Hall (NT) and the superior original is at the National Portrait Gallery.
Provenance
On loan from the Trustees of the Sackville Estate
Credit line
Knole, The Sackville Collection
Makers and roles
British (English) School, publisher