Sir Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry of Aylesborough (1578-1640) as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal
Cornelius Johnson (London 1593 - Utrecht 1661)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1625 - 1628
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1090 x 820 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
NT 533874
Caption
This portrait must have been painted after November 1625, when the sitter was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, whose purse he displays. It seems probable that the portrait was painted to commemorate this occasion. Some three years later, Sir Thomas was created Baron Coventry of Aylesborough. Although he was a staunch Royalist, he was also an ardent Protestant, which may account for his popularity. It may also explain the numerous repetitions of his portraits, of which they are various examples at National Trust houses, including Erdig, Montacute and Croome. Tradition relates that this portrait was presented by the sitter to Sir Thomas III Lucy (1585-1640). However, it seems more likely that it should have come to Charlecote through George Lucy’s friendship with Lady Anne Coventry.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Sir Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry of Aylesborough (1578-1640) as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal by Cornelius Johnson (London 1593 - Utrecht 1661), circa 1625/28. Three quarter length standing by a table wearing a black tunic with white ruff and cuffs his left hand resting on his bag of office. Framed in a large giltwood frame. A copy of the portrait which is signed and dated 1627 formerly in the Knatchbull collection.
Provenance
On loan from Sir Edmund Fairfax-Lucy, 6th Bt (b. 1945).
Makers and roles
Cornelius Johnson (London 1593 - Utrecht 1661), artist