Prince Henry Benedict Clement Stuart, Cardinal York (1725 - 1807)
Cosmo Alexander (Aberdeen 1724 - Edinburgh 1772)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1749
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
290 x 250 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Sizergh Castle, Cumbria
NT 998719
Caption
Henry, the second of James Francis Edward Stuart (the 'Old Pretender') was too young to accompany his brother, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', to Scotland in 1745. He was appointed Cardinal York in July 1747 and ordained as a priest in September 1748. Charles felt such a close association with the Roman Catholic Church could only hinder any hopes of restoring the dynasty to the British throne. This portrait, or the original that it is after, must have been painted between his becoming a Cardinal and his official ordination as the book lacks the proper insignia with the Cardinal's hat over the Royal Arms. On Charles's death in 1788, Henry styled himself King Henry IX, but it was an empty title. He lost much of his money during the French Revolution and his palace was sacked by the occupying army. The British government organised his escape to Venice and George III sent him money.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Prince Henry Benedict Clement Stuart, Cardinal York (1725 - 1807) by Cosmo Alexander (Aberdeen 1724 – Edinburgh 1772), 1749. A half-length portrait of Prince Henry, Cardinal York, in scarlet robes, against a red hanging with classical columns beyond; in black frame with gilt border. Brother to Prince Charles Edward, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' and son of James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender). Henry was appointed Cardinal York in 1747 and ordained as a priest in 1748.
Provenance
Given by Henry Hornyold Strickland (1890 – 1975) with Sizergh Castle and its estates in 1950
Makers and roles
Cosmo Alexander (Aberdeen 1724 - Edinburgh 1772), artist previously catalogued as after Domenico Corvi (Viterbo 1721 - Rome 1803), artist