Attributed to Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680)

John Poulett, 4th Baron and 1st Earl Poulett (c.1668-1743), was the only son of John, 3rd Baron Poulett (d.1679), and his second wife, Susan, daughter of Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke (1584-1650). The sitter succeeded to the barony in 1680, but only took his seat in the House of Lords in 1696 when under threat of committal for non-attendance. On 23 April 1702 he married Bridget, daughter and co-heir of Peregrine Bertie, of Waldershare, Kent. They had four sons and four daughters.

The present portrait appears to be a late example of Lely's work.