Sir Francis Knollys the elder, Lord Treasurer of the Household (1511-1596)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1583
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
750 x 620 mm
Order this imageCollection
Greys Court, Oxfordshire
NT 196014
Caption
Panel painting portrait of Sir Francis Knollys (1511-1596) painted in 1572. Knollys was Treasurer of the Royal Household and close advisor to Elizabeth I. A devout protestant, he was given the sensitive job of moving the imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots around the country. Sir Francis Knollys rebuilt Greys Court into the fashionable brick and flint courtiers house.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Sir Francis Knollys the elder, Lord Treasurer of the Household (1511-1596), aged 72, English School, 1583. Inscribed in in top right hand corner "Ao . AETIS. 72 in gold. A half-length portrait of a man with head turned to the left wearing a black coat with chain of office from which a St George hangs, staff in his right hand. Black crowned hat with ear flaps and ties, white ruff and grey beard. In top left corner a belt and buckle shield enclosing an elephant in profile on a helmet and the legend "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ["Shamed be he who thinks evil of it." - the motto of the British chivalric Order of the Garter]. Knollys was Lord Treasurer of the Household, 1572-96. Dark wood gilt and black feathered painted frame with rectangular design and leaf and vine design on outside.
Provenance
Exchanged between the National Trust and Sir Felix and Lady Elizabeth Brunner, 1975.
Credit line
Greys Court, The Brunner Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Ao . AETIS. 72 On reverse of frame: Richard B. Welchlate of London Restorer of Ancient and Modern ...tings Mark on cradle: F. Leedham On frame: GRE/P/4 Sir Francis Knollys for Courtauld Institute
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist