Portrait of a gentleman, traditionally identified as one of the sons of Sir William Cowper, of Ratlin Court, Kent, three-quarter-length, in armour and white jabot, holding a baton in his right hand, his left hand on his helmet, a landscape beyond

The sitter in this portrait has traditionally been identified as one of the sons of Sir William Cowper (d.1664) of Ratlin Court, Kent.
Sir William, an ardent royalist, was created a Baronet in 1642 but later was imprisoned for his loyalty to Charles I. On his release he lived at Hertford Castle. He married Martha, daughter of James Miller of East Langdon, Kent, by whom he had six sons and three daughters. This portrait has in the past been attributed to John Hayls, but appears closer in style to the work of Jacob Huysmans. Born in Antwerp, where he was a pupil of Frans Wouters, Huysmans came to England soon after the Restoration, settling in London by 1662. According to Pepys, by August 1664 he was considered to be chief rival to Sir Peter Lely.