John Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor (1606-1685)
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 - London 1723)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1683 (signed and dated)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1270 x 1016 mm (50 x 40 in)
Order this imageCollection
Antony, Cornwall
NT 352352
Summary
Oil painting on canvas (coarse canvas ticking), John, Lord Robartes, 1st Earl of Radnor (1606-1685) by Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), at left centre: G. Kneller f./Ao. 1683. A portrait of the right honourable John, Earl of Radnor, seated, velvet cloak trimmed with ermine resting coronet at side. Three other versions at his family seat at Lanhydrock. He was the son of Sir Richard Robartes, 1st Baron Robartes of Truro (c.1580-1634) and married firstly Lady Lucy Rich, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Warwick, and, secondly, Letitia Isabella Smith (Smyth).He was created Viscount Bodmin and Earl of Radnor in 1679. His chilren were: Lady Aramintha Robartes and Robert Robartes, Viscount Bodmin (1634-1682 ) by his first marriage and: Lady Letitia Isabella Robartes, Lady Olympia Robartes (d.1733), the Hon. Francis Robartes (1650-1718), the Hon. Mary Robartes (1661-1670), the Hon. Warwick Robartes (b.1667) and the Hon. Essex Robartes (b.1669). Having held local appointments under the Crown in the 1640s he sided with the Parliamentarians; was reinstated by Charles II, becoming Lord Deputy of Ireland, 1660-1, Lord Privy Seal, 1661-73, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1669-70 and Lord President of the Council, 1679-84. His fine library of theological and classical texts is in the Gallery.
Provenance
Gift from the sitter's son, The Hon. Francis Robartes, to his wife Penelope's father, Sir Coventry Pole, 2nd Bt; thence by inheritance and descent; on loan from the Trustees of Antony
Makers and roles
Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646 - London 1723), artist