Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1533–1588) (after Steven van der Meulen)
Anglo-Netherlandish School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1565
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
901 x 673 mm (35 1/2 x 26 1/2 in)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Montacute House, Somerset
NT 597956
Summary
Oil painting on panel, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1533–1588), Anglo-Netherlandish School, circa 1565, inscribed 'Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester'. The prime original, but with Leicester in white, and with a dog, is in the collection of Lord Rothschild (on loan to Waddesdon Manor). Portrait of a young man, half-length turned to right, gazing at spectator. His right hand is on his hip, his left fingers touching his sword which is hung on his left hip from a slim black leather sword belt; the hilt of a dagger worn behind, seen on the left, near the thumb of his right hand He has a brown moustache and small beard, short hair surmounted by a black cap with its feather fastened with a large jewel. He wears a buff and red striped doublet over red-braided and embroidered coat and breeches, a small ruff emerges from a high collar, small white ruffs at wrist. He wears the pendant Order of the Garter hanging from a gold chain.
Provenance
Previously in the collection of Edith Rawdon-Hastings, Countess of Loudon (1833-1874); bought and bequeathed by Sir Percy Malcolm Stewart (1871-1951) to the National Trust in and transferred to Montacute House, 1960 after the death of Lady Stewart
Credit line
Montacute House, The Malcolm Stewart Bequest (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: Inscribed top right and left: (left) Robert Dudley (right) Earl of Leicester Gilt tablet affixed to bottom of frame, inscribed in black paint:
Makers and roles
Anglo-Netherlandish School, publisher previously catalogued as attributed to Steven van der Meulen (? Antwerp fl.1543 – 1563), publisher
References
Montacute House, Somerset, 1976 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1976, "THE DINING ROOM Paintings and Tapestry South Wall (left to right) Portrait of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Studioo of Steven van der Meulen, c.1565. Dudley was created an earl in 1564" Montacute House, Somerset, 1979 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, p.9 The Dining Room. Shown in photograph of the Dining Room, to right of fireplace. p.10. "The Dining Room. On the north wall are portraits of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester..." Montacute House, Somerset, 1986 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, revised 1986 , p.9 The Dining Room. Shown in photograph of the Dining Room, to right of fireplace. p.10. "The Dining Room. On the north wall are portraits of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester..." Montacute House, Somerset, 1986-1987 [The National Trust; Dudley Dodd] 1979, revised 1986 reprinted 1987 , p.9 The Dining Room. Shown in photograph of the Dining Room, to right of fireplace. p.10. "The Dining Room. On the north wall are portraits of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester..." Montacute House, Somerset, 1991 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 1991, p.53 "THE DINING ROOM PAINTINGS Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532>-88) Favourite of Elizabeth I and a 'light greedy man' (see below no.21) Unknown artist, perhaps after Steven van der Meulen (fl.1543-68)" Montacute House, Somerset, 1997 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 1991, revised 1997 , p.53 "THE DINING ROOM PAINTINGS Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532>-88) Favourite of Elizabeth I and a 'light greedy man' (see below no.21) Unknown artist, perhaps after Steven van der Meulen (fl.1543-68)" Montacute House, Somerset, 2004-2006 [The National Trust; Malcolm Rogers] 2000, revised 2004, reprinted 2005, 2006, p.41 "THE DINING ROOM PAINTINGS Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532>-88) Favourite of Elizabeth I and a 'light greedy man' Unknown artist, perhaps after Steven van der Meulen (fl.1543-68)"