About this lot
Description
English School, 17th Century Portrait said to be of Sir Oliver Cromwell of Hinchingbrooke (circa 1566-1655), half length, bearded, in a white ruff and green embroidered doublet, wearing the red sash of the Order of the Bath inscribed upper left "AEtat. Suae '84" and upper right "Ano Domi 1647" oil on canvas 74 x 61cm (29 x 24in)
Provenance: Hugh Cholmondeley, His deceased sale, Christie's, London, 16th October 1987, lot 109, where acquired by Wilkins & Wilkins of St Christopher's Place, London, W1; Acquired by the present vendor in 1988 for Northborough Manor, Northborough, Cambridgeshire (the home of Oliver Cromwell's daughter, Elizabeth) Other Notes: Sir Oliver Cromwell (c.1566–1655) was an English landowner, lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1589 and 1625. Sir Oliver was a staunch supporter of the Royalist cause during the Civil War. He was the uncle of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector. Sir Oliver entertained King James I at Hinchingbrooke Castle on 27 April 1603, when the King was travelling south to occupy the English throne. Cromwell's presents to the King included "a cup of gold, goodly horses, deep-mouthed hounds, and divers hawks of excellent wing". Dons from Cambridge University came dressed in scarlet gowns and corner caps to present a Latin oration. It was described as "the greatest feast that had ever been given to a king by a subject". It left Sir Oliver bankrupt - however in gratitude, King James conferred the Order of the Bath upon Cromwell at his Coronation on 24 July 1603. In the present portrait, Sir Oliver is wearing the Order of the Bath - portraits including this from such a date are quite unusual so this in itself makes it an interesting picture. Only one other portrait is known of Sir Oliver, as a younger man aged forty, which is in the Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon (previously at Hinchingbrooke Castle).
Old Christie's stencil GP 359. Wilkins and Wilkins, London, frame. Oil on canvas which has been lined. The paint layer is in a good condition overall. There are a few localised areas of craquelure that are slightly raised. The brown background is slightly worn. There is retouching on the sitter's face but very small touches which cover wear and are generally well matched to the original. The inscription has craquelure which can also be seen in the lower paint passages indicating it was applied when the portrait was painted or added early on in the history of the painting, The varnish is clear, semi-matte and even. There is minor wear to the paint on the frame.
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