CORNELIUS JOHNSON (Anglo/Dutch, 1593-1661)

Portrait of Charles de L'Aubespine, Marquis de Chateauneuf-sur-Cher (1580-1653)
Half-length, wearing a black tunic and white lace ruff with the Order of the Saint-Esprit
Signed lower right: C.J. Fecit/1629 and inscribed with coat of arms
Oil on panel
Size: 30.75 x 24.25 in.
In an antique hand painted wood frame: 35.25 x 29 in.

Provenance: The Viscount Galway, Serlby Hall, Nottinghamshire (According to previous auction catalogue); Sale of British Paintings 1500-1850, Sotheby's, London, 08/March/1989, lot 23; from whom purchased by the present Private Collection, Toronto

Exhibited: Tate Gallery, Age of Charles I, 1972, no. 33

The sitter was born in Paris in 1580, where he trained for the priesthood, becoming the Abbé de Preaux. He later made his reputation in the diplomatic service in Holland, Germany and Venice. He arrived in London as Ambassador for Louis XIII in July 1629, the year of this portrait, where he was active in opposing Rubens's efforts towards achieving peace with Spain, The following year he was made Garde des Sceaux by Richelieu, and as such was responsible for the condemnation of the Cardinal's opponents the Comte de Marillac and the Duc de Montmorency, his predecessor as Garde des Sceaux. He had a reputationfor arrogance and following his involvement in numerous intrigues, he fell out of favour and was dismissed by Richelieu in 1633. He was subsequently imprisoned in Angoulème where he remained, intriguing with leaders of the Fronde, until 1650 when Anne of Austria recalled him to be Garde des Sceaux once more. However he rapidly fell out of favour with Cardinal Mazarin and was dismissed again in 1651.
Condition Report: Condition report available upon request.