Circle of Sir Peter Lely Portrait of a gentleman, three-quarter-length,...

Property from Ollerton Grange: an Interior by Robert Kime

Circle of Sir Peter Lely
Portrait of a gentleman, three-quarter-length, traditionally identified as Robert Boyle (1627–1691)

oil on canvas
unframed: 126.3 x 101.4 cm.; 49¾ x 39⅞ in.
framed: 145 x 119.7 cm.; 57⅛ x 47⅛ in.

Condition Report:
The canvas is lined and stable. The paint surface is covered in a layer of old and slightly yellow varnish, which has bloomed around the sitter's cuff and a small area of the background. There is well preserved brushwork found in the flesh, hands and drapery. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals a later of opaque varnish which impedes a full reading, however, there is suggestions of an old campaign of minor retouching in the face, hands and small areas of the background. Overall the work is in fairly good condition and is ready to hang.

Catalogue Note:
This portrait has by tradition been thought to be a likeness of the famous Irish-born scientist Robert Boyle (1627–1691). It relates to another painting of Boyle by Sir Peter Lely, presumed to be the prime version from which this example was based, a work sold from the collections of the Earls of Cork and Orrey in 1951.1 Although the identification was supported through its provenance in the Boyle family, its connection with him has been questioned in recent times on the grounds of a lack of similarity with other accepted portraits of the celebrated scientific figure.2

Note on Provenance

When sold from the collections at Easton Neston, Northamptonshire, it was suggested that the painting may have descended with Boyle's sister Dorothy (1617–1668), who married Sir Arthur Loftus (d. 1665). If this is correct, the painting would later have been inherited by Anna Maria Draycott (c. 1736–1787), 2nd Countess of Pomfret, and later descended with her heirs until offered for sale in 2005 (see Provenance).

1 Oil on canvas, 48 x 37½ in. Christie's, 4 May 1951, lot 113.

2 For a period engraving of Boyle, made around the time of this portrait, see William Faithorne, Robert Boyle, line engraving, 1664. The National Portrait Gallery, London. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw116009/Robert-Boyle?LinkID=mp00522&role=sit&rNo=2

Provenance:
Possibly by descent to the sitter's sister, Dorothy Boyle (1617–1668), wife of Sir Arthur Loftus;

Possibly by descent to her great-granddaughter Jane, Baroness Wharton, wife of Robert Coke, who left her estate to Anna Maria Draycott (c. 1736–1787), wife of George, 2nd Earl of Pomfret;

Thence by family descent at Easton Neston, Northamptonshire;

Their sale ('Easton Neston'), on the premises, Sotheby's, 17 May 2005, lot 156 (as circle of Sir Peter Lely), for £10,800;

Where acquired by the present owner.