The well depicted half-length portrait in rectangular form of a noble gentleman, painted in oils on canvas and in what could well be the original period carved and ebonised frame, the sitter in formal dress with brown coat and white cravat, the whole being uncleaned and unrestored and surviving from Stuart period England and the estate of Lord Kenyon, Gredington, Wales.
The Estate of Lord Kenyon, Gredington, Wales.
The sitter is depicted in a similar way to a portrait sold by Bonhams that was identified as Francis Popham also by a follower of Kneller. Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet, was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to English and British monarchs from Charles II to George I.
Baron Kenyon, of Gredington, in the County of Flint, is a title in the Peerage of Great Britain. It was created in 1788 for the lawyer and judge Sir Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baronet. He served as Master of the Rolls and as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. As of 2019 the titles are held by his great-grandson, the seventh Baron, who succeeded his father in 2019.
A very sleepy country house picture that has not been touched since it was painted; to awake or not that is the question…
The portrait remains in completely original attic find condition with no over-painting or attempted restoration and a good deal of character to the surface with one puncture and one smaller tear; he has not been cleaned or varnished. Please refer to the photographs for a full visual reference. The well carved acanthus leaf frame is of the period and may be the original.
By appointment only.
