Sir Peter Legh IX (1563-1636), aged 28
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1591
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
1105 x 813 mm (43 1/2 x 32 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Lyme, Cheshire
NT 499935
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Sir Peter Legh IX (1563-1636), aged 28, British (English) School, 1591. A three-quarter-length portrait, as a young man, turned slightly to the left, facing, gazing at the spectator, with beard and moustache, wearing a black doublet and hose, with all-over herringbone pattern, simple rounded collar of orange and blue, a short black velvet cloak on his left shoulder, and gold webbing hanger with steel sword. His right knuckles rest on his hip his left hand on his sword hilt and guard.
Provenance
Peter Legh IX was the grandson of Sir Piers (VIII) whom he succeeded to Lyme in 1590. Although himself the father of numerous children he also was succeeded by a grandson, Peter (killed in a duel 1641/2). He married firstly Margaret, daughter of Sir Gilbert Gerard, Master of the Rolls, in 1584, and secondly Dorothy, daughter of Sir Richard Egerton and widow of Richard Brerton of Tatton. He accompanied Leicester on his Spanish campaigns in the Netherlands, and was knighted in 1598 on his return from this expedition. (Alastair Laing, inventory cards, 1997. See paintings file.) This portrait of Peter Legh (IX) is of great historical value and interest to the collection at Lyme Hall. The painting has remained with the Legh family descendants and was loaned to the Lyme Hall by Peter Richard Legh, 4th Lord Newton (d.1992) in 1948.
Marks and inscriptions
'IUSQVES.A.LORS' (inscribed to the right hand side)
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist French School, artist