Inscribed Mr Edgcumbe, but Thomas Coventry, 3rd Earl of Coventry (1702 - 1711/12)
manner of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1710
Materials
Oil on canvas (oval)
Measurements
762 x 635 mm (30 x 25 in)
Order this imageCollection
Antony, Cornwall
NT 352365
Summary
Oil painting on canvas (oval), Inscribed Mr Edgcumbe, but really Thomas Coventry, 3rd Earl of Coventry (1702 - 1711/12), manner of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), previously British (English) School, circa 1710, inscribed in gold at top: Mr Edgecumbe. An oval portrait, wearing a blue velvet coat, and red drapery. Despite its later inscription as 'Mr Edgecumbe' (there was no member of the Mount-Edgcumbe family of this age around 1710), this portrait has been identified as that of Thomas, 3rd Earl of Coventry, who succeeded his father, the 2nd Earl, in 1710, but died at Eton. His grandfather, the 1st Earl's first wife was Winifred Edgcumbe, and it is through this link and a mistake in generations that confusion may have crept in. Thomas Coventry, 3rd Earl of Coventry was born on 7 April 1702. He was the son of Thomas Coventry, 2nd Earl of Coventry and Lady Anne Somerset. He was educated in 1710 at Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire where he died on 28 January 1711/12 at age 9. He died intestate and his estate was administered to his mother on 14 February 1711/12.1
Provenance
By inheritance and descent through Lady Anne Coventry, Lady Carew (1695/6 - 1733); on loan from the Trustees of Antony
Makers and roles
manner of Sir Godfrey Kneller (Lübeck 1646/9 - London 1723), artist British (English) School, artist John Riley (London 1646 – London 1691), artist