Portrait of Francis, 2nd Lord Guilford (1673-1729), three-quarter-length, in a blue velvet coat with jewelled fastenings, and an ochre wrap, before a column

Details

Attributed to John Closterman and Studio (Osnabrück 1660-1711 London)
Portrait of Francis, 2nd Lord Guilford (1673-1729), three-quarter-length, in a blue velvet coat with jewelled fastenings, and an ochre wrap, before a column
with identifying inscription 'FRANCIS LORD GUILFORD SON OF FRANCIS LORD GUILFORD LD. KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL OF ENGLAND IN THE REIGN OF KING CHARLES THE SECOND.' (upper left)
oil on canvas
50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.7 cm.)
in a carved and gilded panel frame

Provenance

The Earls of Guilford, and by descent to the present owner.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

We are grateful to Sir John Guinness for confirming that as stated in the catalogue the present sitter is Francis, 2nd Lord Guilford, but that he was not Lord Keeper to King Charles II, a post his father, 1st Lord Guilford held.
Please note that this lot is sold as viewed.

Lot Essay

The present portrait shows Francis Lord Guilford when Lord Keeper to Charles II. The Great Seal of the United Kingdom, formerly the Great Seal of England, is a seal used to symbolise the monarch's approval of official state documents. The Lord Keeper of the Great Seal was originally an officer of the English Crown charged with physical custody of the Seal, and later one of the Great Officers of State. The position developed into a permanent appointment and the Lord Keeper, who was generally a peer, acquired the right of discharging all duties related to the Great Seal.

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