.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Prince Rupert was the son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and Princess Elizabeth, sister of King Charles I of England. He served his uncle with loyalty and heroism during the Civil Wars, commanding the Royalist cavalry from the age of twenty-three. He spent some time with Royalist forces in exile, both on land and at sea, and returned to England following the Restoration to continue to serve the Crown as naval commander and administrator. In addition to his military activity, Rupert had a keen interest in scientific research and the arts, and is credited with introducing the mezzotint method of engraving to England after the Restoration.
The present portrait is an example of the full-length design evolved by Lely for Garter Knight portraits in the mid-1660s and used for some time afterwards. Lely produced a set for Sir Allen Apsley at Cirencester Park. Garter full-lengths were painted during the early Stuart period. However, there was a notable increase in their production after the Restoration, with the revival of the Order. Another version of this portrait type is in the collection of the Duke of Grafton (see O. Millar, Sir Peter Lely, exhibition catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, London, 1978, p. 61, no. 43). The prototype for the head in this portrait type is almost certainly that in two three-quarter-length portraits of the Prince, commissioned by the Duke of York (The Royal Collection, Windsor Castle) and the Grand Duke of Tuscany (Uffizi, Florence).
Francis Bingham Mildmay, first Baron Mildmay of Flete (1861-1947), who owned the picture in the 20th century, entered Parliament in 1885 and was raised to the peerage in 1922. He served in the South African and the First World Wars, was sworn to the Privy council in 1916, and was Lord Lieutenant of Devon from 1928 to 1936.
The present portrait is an example of the full-length design evolved by Lely for Garter Knight portraits in the mid-1660s and used for some time afterwards. Lely produced a set for Sir Allen Apsley at Cirencester Park. Garter full-lengths were painted during the early Stuart period. However, there was a notable increase in their production after the Restoration, with the revival of the Order. Another version of this portrait type is in the collection of the Duke of Grafton (see O. Millar, Sir Peter Lely, exhibition catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, London, 1978, p. 61, no. 43). The prototype for the head in this portrait type is almost certainly that in two three-quarter-length portraits of the Prince, commissioned by the Duke of York (The Royal Collection, Windsor Castle) and the Grand Duke of Tuscany (Uffizi, Florence).
Francis Bingham Mildmay, first Baron Mildmay of Flete (1861-1947), who owned the picture in the 20th century, entered Parliament in 1885 and was raised to the peerage in 1922. He served in the South African and the First World Wars, was sworn to the Privy council in 1916, and was Lord Lieutenant of Devon from 1928 to 1936.