The Hon. Margaret Wotton, Lady Tufton (1617–before 1657)
studio of Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1640 - 1645
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1186 x 890 mm
Order this imageCollection
Blickling Hall, Norfolk
NT 355484
Caption
The true identity of this sitter was long obscure, but there can now be no doubt that the she was the third daughter and co-heir of Thomas, 2nd Baron Wotton (1587–1630), and the first wife of Sir John Tufton. She was closely connected with the Court circles who had also been painted by Van Dyck, which would explain not only his portrait of her, but also its many reproductions. This particular version of the portrait would appear to have been in the Lothian collection, not because of any family tie, but because – like its pendant, ‘Mrs Howard’ (also at Blickling) – the sitter was a Court Beauty.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, The Hon Margaret Wotton, Lady Tufton (1617-before 1657), studio of Sir Anthony van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641). A three-quarter length portrait, seated half-turned to her right. Wearing black gown with jewelled bodice and slashed sleeves, right arm resting on table, left hand in lap holding pink roses. Pearl necklace and earrings. Long brown ringlets dressed with pearls. Grey curtain behind. Inscribed top left 'Lady Tufton', and bottom left '22' twice, once in yellow, struck through, and once in orange.
Provenance
'Lady Tofton' after van Dyck, appears in the 1798 Lothian inventory for the Drawing Room. But neither it nor 'Mrs Howard' had been noticed by John Loveday on his visit to Newbattle Abbey on 1732; No. 22 at Newbattle Abbey 1833.This particular version of the portrait would appear to have been in the Lothian collection, not because of any family tie, but because - like its pendant 'Mrs Howard' - the sitter was a Court Beauty; bequeathed with the hall and contents by Philip,11th Marquess of Lothian (1882-1940)
Credit line
Blickling Hall, The Lothian Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
studio of Sir Anthony Van Dyck (Antwerp 1599 - London 1641), artist