Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (1536-1608) being presented with Petitions by his Secretary
attributed to John de Critz, the Elder (Antwerp 1551/52 - London 1642)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1605 - 1610
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
2100 x 1600 x 30 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent
NT 802395
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (1536-1608) being presented with Petitions by his Secretary John Suckling, attributed to John de Critz the elder (Antwerp 1551/2 – London 1642), circa 1605-1610. A full-length double portrait. Lord Sackville wears the Order of the Garter (to which he was appointed in 1589) and holds the wand of office of Lord High Steward, to which he was appointed in January 1601. (He had previously been appointed Lord high Treasurer by Queen Elizabeth in 1599, in succession to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, and he was reappointed to the post for life by James VI and I in 1603). He stands on a richly carpeted dais. The Sackville arms are superimposed over the Garter pictogram.
Provenance
This painting is not found in the 1799 manuscript of the 'Catalogue of Pictures’ at Knole, but is one of those added after ‘The End’ of the 1828 manuscript catalogue: "541 Thomas Sackville 1st Earl of Dorset Mark Garard 7' 1½" x 5' 3" " (although there is no mention of the 'secretary', the dimensions are unmistakable); by descent from John, 3rd Duke of Dorset (d.1799) and his widow, née Arabella Cope (d.1825), to their younger daughter, Elizabeth, Countess De la Warr (1795-1870); shown hanging over the fireplace in the Great Hall at Knole in a photograph of c.1865; sold at auction in the 1950s when bought by Ben Nicolson for Sissinghurst; on loan to the National Trust from Adam Nicolson, Baron Carnock (b.1957).
Marks and inscriptions
On the paper held in the ‘secretary’s’ left hand: To the R: honorable / Thomas Earle of / Dorset Lo: high Trer / of England: / The humble petition / of the mrchaunts / Aduenturers On the topmost document on the table: [as the first part of the above, then:] The humble petition / of Thomas Hinshaw / merchant On the document underneath the topmost document on the table: [the beginning of the first part, the rest concealed under the other document] The humble peticion / of John Hodgkins / tanner
Makers and roles
attributed to John de Critz, the Elder (Antwerp 1551/52 - London 1642), artist British (English) School, artist