Portrait of Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612), half-length, in a black doublet and white ruff, his left hand holding a pomander, his right hand holding a seal

Details

Studio of John de Critz I (Antwerp 1551/2-1642 London)
Portrait of Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612), half-length, in a black doublet and white ruff, his left hand holding a pomander, his right hand holding a seal
inscribed with the sitter's motto 'SERO, SED SERIO' (upper left), his coat-of-arms (lower left, on the box), and dated '1608' (upper right)
oil on oak panel
35 7/8 x 29 3/8 in. (91.1 x 74.7 cm.)

Provenance

Judge Murnaghan, Dublin, and by descent to the present owner.

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Lot Essay

We are grateful to Caroline Rae who, on the basis of a photograph, believes this portrait to be from the studio of de Critz. She compares it with the portraits of Cecil in the National Portrait Gallery (see R. Strong, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, London, 1969, I, p. 274, no. 107, ii, pl. 536) and that at Ingatestone Hall, Essex.

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