A Descriptive and Historical Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures at Knowsley Hall (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from A Descriptive and Historical Catalogue of the Collection of Pictures at Knowsley Hall

A small half-length figure wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter, and turned as if walking to the left. A thin white wand is advanced in his right hand, and the other, with the left arm placed a-kimbo, holds a black hat with a white plume, only a small part of which remains visible. His hair is long, and of a brown yellow colour, parted in the middle and falling in long curls on each Side. The light is admitted from the right Side. Part of a fluted column and base appear in background, towards left Side. Inscribed on a paper pasted at the back, James, Duke of Ormond, in the reign of Charles I. The name was scratched through and altered into Southampton, temp. Car. II.

This portrait is interesting both as an early example of the painting of Sir Peter Lely, and as representing the Duke whilst retaining some appearance of youth. The introduction of the wand, and the style of dress, Show that he must have already entered his fiftieth year. The original, a fine full-length picture, the size of life, is at Panshanger, in possession of his descendant by marriage, the Earl Cowper, kg.

Portraits of the Duke of Ormond as an old man are comparatively numerous; the best being those at Hardwick, his daughter having been the first Duchess of Devonshire, and in the Bodleian Gallery at Oxford, of which University he was elected Chancellor in 1669.

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