Completed British 16th and 17th C, except portraits, Dress and Textiles, East of England and The Midlands: Artists and Subjects, Portraits: British 16th and 17th C 23 Can you enhance what is known about 'Portrait of an Unknown Nobleman (Man with a Ruff)'?

I would like to thank Sophie King at the collection for sharing the two reports from the Hamilton-Kerr Institute: one on the examination and treatment of the painting, the other a research document on the identity of the sitter (2 attachments). The conservation revealed extensive alterations had occurred. The art-historical research was carried out by Conservator Joanna Russell in 2007.

Unfortunately, Dr Bendor Grosvenor has much else going on so we are looking for someone else to lead on 'Portraits: British 16th–17th century' and 'Portraits: British 18th century'.

Clare College bought this picture when it was thought to be of Thomas Cecil. It already had has a portrait of him attributed to the circle of Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, below:

https://bit.ly/3xvpXOq

Van Somer, Gheeraerts and de Critz were of Flemish origin, so the picture could be listed under Anglo-Flemish or Anglo-Netherlandish School. An expert on that group of artists whose opinion would be of great interest in this case is Karen Hearn, now at University College London.

One possibility might be William Knollys, the Baron Knollys (cr. 1603), later Garet Knight (cr. 1615); Viscount Wallingford (1616), i.e. a Baron who became a Garter Knight. Without better images, it is difficult to say whether this is the same man as depicted in the portrait of Knollys at Kenwood.

William Knollys (1544-1632) was Baron Knollys of Greys from 1603 to 1616, when he became a viscount. His portrait https://bit.ly/3ScxN7N at Kenwood is dated c. 1620. A print after another portrait of him is fairly similar to our picture:

https://bit.ly/3UekZzw

See also the William Knollys Wikipedia entry https://bit.ly/3QJ8uJe

If this is Knollys, it is possible that the picture was painted not long before he became a Garter Knight, and that the Garter regalia was added (not very expertly) after the fact.

Here, from the British Newspaper Archives, is an article from the ‘North Wales Weekly News’ of Friday, August 21, 1908, that mentions this portrait and the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I that was discussed in the historical research document above.

They were sold to a Miss Mary Williams at an estate auction at Bodelwyddan Hall, home of the late Sir William Grenville Williams, near Rhyl. His portrait is on Art UK.
https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/sir-william-grenville-williams-18441904-4th-bt-of-bodelwyddan-178229

It is a fine portrait of its period, no doubt by a "name" artist. A period expert is probably required for a specific attribution, and I hope one will be forthcoming.

Here is some research into "Miss Mary Williams".

The historical research document indicated that this picture was purchased by Margaret Dowager Lady Willoughby de Broke in about 1854. I have attached a notice of her death from the ‘Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser’ and an article about her will from the 'Liverpool Weekly Courier'. Margaret (1799–1880) left a substantial legacy to her niece Mary Charlotte Lucy Williams – I believe that this niece was the "Miss Mary Williams" who purchased the paintings.

Margaret's brother Sir Hugh Williams (1802–1876) and his wife Henrietta Charlotte Williams (née Williams-Wynn)(1818–1878) had nine children including: firstborn Sir William Grenville Williams (1844–1904)(whose "treasures" were sold at auction in 1908), Mary Charlotte Lucy Williams (bap. 15 March 1853–26 March 1930) and the Bishop of Bangor, the Right Rev. Watkin Herbert Williams (1845–1944). The "Tol/Tro2" family tree on Ancestry shows this family.

The 1871 Census of England and Wales shows Mary and her family living in Bodelwyddan. Her probate entry and an article about her will from the 'Liverpool Echo' provide additional information about her. Here is the link to her entry on the 'Find a Grave' website.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185026871/mary-charlotte_lucy-williams

Practically all of the many Zuccaro attributions for portraits of British sitters have been rejected or questioned. Even the famous Darnley portrait of Queen Elizabeth I at the NPG, once thought to be by him, is now listed under "unknown Continental artist." He was only in England in 1575, and the sort of ruff worn here is later than the 1570s.

In her will dated September 20, 1878, Margaret Dowager Lady Willoughby de Broke wrote: “I give to my nephew Sir Grenville Williams Baronet the two Florentine cabinets with verde antique marble slabs on the top three large oil paintings in the Dining room at Plasnewydd a full length of Queen Elizabeth a full length of an ancestor of Lord Exeters one of William the Third on his Charger”.

Unfortunately the detailed will of Mary Charlotte Lucy Williams was drafted on July 7, 1928, after she sold this painting.

***

Earlier today, I ordered two documents with the reference codes D/BD/183 and D/BD/192 from the North East Wales Archives. The former is an inventory, dated 1908, of the pictures and heirlooms at Bodelwyddan.

https://www.newa.wales/collections/getrecord/GB208_D-BD_B_4_13

https://www.newa.wales/collections/getrecord/GB208_D-BD_B_6_2

The documents related to Bodelwyddan that I ordered from the North East Wales Archives were provided to me last week. They include a schedule of paintings and other items that were considered family heirlooms. Each painting has a description, most have measurements and several indicate the name of the artist. As expected, the portrait that we are discussing is not listed.

It would be highly desirable to get the opinion of period expert Karen Hearn concerning an attribution, if that is possible.

Jacob (Simon), do you have any thoughts on an attribution here?

I would not hazard an attribution from an online image.

Jacob

I should perhaps add that we are happy to consider any requests to come and view the portrait in person at Clare College. Please contact me if you would like to do this: srk35@cam.ac.uk.

Jacinto (comment 12/10/22), we have someone taking over Portraits, British 16th C and 17th C from Bendor Grosvenor very soon.

Glad to hear that, Marion. Perhaps he or she could inspect the picture in person at Clare College.

Since there is now a Group Leader (Rab MacGibbon) in Bendor Grosvenor's former position, can he be asked to look over this discussion and suggest how we could move forward?

Rab will be aware of this discussion.

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