Martin Ruzé, seigneur de Beaulieu (1527-1613), aged 83
Frans Pourbus the younger (Antwerp 1569 – Paris 1622)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1612 (inscribed)
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
648 x 532 mm (25 1/2 x 20 3/4 in)
Place of origin
France
Order this imageCollection
Upton House, Warwickshire
NT 446764
Caption
Ruzé enjoyed an illustrious political career. He first served Henri, Duc d’Anjou. When the Duc became Henri III, he appointed Ruzé Financial Secretary, and in 1588 Secretary of State. Under Henri IV he was made Grand Treasurer of the Orders of the King of France. He died childless, and left his estate to Maréchal d’Effiat, on the condition that he adopt his name and arms. An inscription at the top of the paintings tells us that this was painted when he was 83 years old. He is shown wearing the Order of the St. Esprit.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Martin Ruzé, seigneur de Beaulieu (1527-1613), aged 83 by Frans Pourbus the Younger (1569-1622), inscribed: AN. SAL. 1612 F. POURBUS FE and on the frame: on the frame; MESre. MARTIN RUZE CHEVALLIER Sr. DE BEAVIEV CONSr. DV ROY. SECRE D'ESTAT ET GRAND TRESORIER DES ORDRES DE S. Mte. AGE DE 83 ANS. A nearly half-length portrait, body turned slightly right, head almost facing; he has a two-pointed beard and wears a brown doublet embroidered in black with spherical gold buttons set close together, a white linen ruff and the blue ribbon and order of the St Esprit. Ruzé first served Henry, Duke of Anjou, who as Henry III appointed him financial secretary and in 1588 secretary of state. Under Henry IV he was made grand treasurer of the orders of the king of France. In 1606 he relinquished the secretaryship of state, and dying childless in 1616 left his estates to Maréchal d'Effiat provided the latter adopted his name and arms.
Provenance
?sale of M. du C[harteaux], Paris, 2 May 1791ff., as a portrait of François Ruzé by Porbus, 25 pouces [??? x 24 (or was this a pendant rather than a literal?)] [so inscr. on anon. frames label of 46]; said to have come from Saxham Hall, Fenchurch, Suffolk (Upton catalogue); Col. E.G. Coles of Pebble Combe, Headley, sale, Christie's, 19 November 1926, lot 28: bt. by F. Sabin who sold it to Lord Bearsted in December 1927, for £1,500; given with Upton House to the National Trust by Walter Samuel, 2nd Viscount Bearsted (1882 – 1948) shortly before his death
Credit line
Upton House, The Bearsted Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed on the frame; MESre. MARTIN RUZE CHEVALLIER Sr. DE BEAVIEV CONSr. DV ROY. SECRE D'ESTAT ET GRAND TRESORIER DES ORDRES DE S. Mte. AGE DE 83 ANS. Inscribed on painting - AN. SAL. 1612 F. POURBUS FE (signed and dated).
Makers and roles
Frans Pourbus the younger (Antwerp 1569 – Paris 1622), artist
Exhibition history
New Light on Old Masters, Squash Court Gallery, 2013
