Portrait of an admiral of the English navy

oil on canvas

Dimensions: 93 x 116 cm.

with antique frame 138 x 112 cm.

The painting examined here, depicting an admiral of the British navy in his armour and dating from around the mid-17th century, can be historically and culturally attributed to the well-known portraitist Sir Peter Lely

 (1618 - 1680), one of the most sought-after painters in the Kingdom of England and successor to Antoon van Dyck as official painter to the court of King Charles II.

The son of a wealthy Dutch family, he moved to London around 1643, where he quickly achieved supremacy in the field of portraiture and attracted numerous commissions from aristocratic and monarchical clients.

Although there are no distinctive features to identify the subject of our painting, it is easy to place him among the highest ranks of the English navy, the famous Royal Navy, which played a crucial role in imperial expansion during the 17th century.

In the 17th century, the British Admiralty became one of the most important government departments in the United Kingdom, managing the expansion of overseas possessions: naval admirals became important figures, key players in the control of trade routes and great strategists in the modernisation of naval tactics.

In this regard, the series known as the “Flagmen of Lowestoft”, consisting of thirteen portraits of the victorious admirals in the Second Anglo-Dutch War, commissioned from Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680) by the Duke of York (later James II) after the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, currently preserved in the Royal Collection and the National Maritime Museum.

We can mention, by way of comparison with our work, the following three paintings from the series:

- Sir Peter Lely, Portrait of Admiral Sir John Lawson, Royal Collection, London [1]

- Sir Peter Lely, Portrait of Admiral Sir Edward Montagu, National Maritime Museum, London [2]

- Sir Peter Lely, Portrait of Vice Admiral Sir William Berkeley, National Maritime Museum, London [3]

These works, like ours, are characterised by a baroque and elegant style, depicting naval leaders with a strong sense of realism, often including marine backgrounds that emphasise their role, as in our case where the subject is immortalised with an authoritative gaze and a proud pose, one hand resting on the cannon and his large ship in the background.

The detail, which we find in many of Lely's works, of the typical weapon used by officers of the Royal Navy of England is marvellous: in particular, the sword with a forged pommel in relief reproducing the head of a lion, the heraldic symbol of the Kingdom of England, used by figures who distinguished themselves for their valour in battle (see photographic details).

He wears a leather-coloured coat, armour and a silk sash tied at the waist (worn as a sign of rank and to identify members of different regiments). With the advent of gunpowder-based warfare in the 17th century, such clothing, lighter than full armour but equally protective against blades and sometimes musket shots, became part of military attire, especially when combined with a cuirass, as seen here.

This is a work of remarkable formal and aesthetic elegance: note the meticulous but light rendering of the facial features, the sharpness of the contours emphasised by the light, and the expressive power of the eyes, all elements that confirm its attribution to the great master Lely or an artist from his workshop.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care of and organise the transport of purchased works, both in Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If the work is purchased by non-Italian customers, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit, which takes approximately 10-20 days. Our gallery will take care of the entire process until the permit is obtained. All costs for this procedure are included.

It is also possible to view the painting in our gallery in Riva del Garda. We would be delighted to welcome you and show you our collection of works.

Please contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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