Description

Oil on canvas in old reproduction frame of the correct period type.
The Countess is depicted in the mythical realm of Arcady, a fshionable conceit of the time.
At the centre of Arcady is the Garden of Love where a figure of Cupid sits atop a fountain.
Elizabeth places her hand in the water...this is a motif much used by Van Dyck and Lely and it makes an allusion to her potential as a wife and mother, recalling Proverbs, chapter 5, verse 18 "Let thy fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of thy youth".
The lamb represents innocence, gentleness, patience and humility....and is,of course, an emblem of Chtistianity.
There is little doubt that this portrait represents a celebration of Elizabeth's forthcoming marriage.
ELIZABETH CAPEL (1633-1678) was baptised on 4 June 1633 at Hadham Parva, Hertfordshire, England. She was the daughter of Arthur Capel, 1st Baron Capel of Hadham, and Elizabeth Morrison.
She married Charles Dormer, 2nd Earl of Carnarvon, son of Robert Dormer, 1st Earl of Carnarvon and Lady Anna Sophia Herbert, before 1653.
Her father was executed by Parliament for Royalist activities during the Civil War in 1649.
The Carnarvons and the Capels were great patrons of Sir Peter Lely and the miniaturist Richard Gibson both of whom painted numerous portraits of Elizabeth and her family in the 1650s.
Tha Capel family were great flower lovers; Elizabeth, Lady Carnarvon was a talented flower painter, her brother did much to develop the gardens at Kew, and her sister, the Duchess of Beaufort, developed the gardens at Badminton and Beaufort House.
The marriage produced a daughter, Lady Elizabeth Dormer, born in 1653 and died aged 24 the year before her mother, who was herself only 45.
The Countess was buried on 6 August 1678 at Wing, Buckinghamshire, England.
DAVID DES GRANGES (1611-c.1671-2)was a miniaturist but also painted on the scale of life. He married a member of the Hoskins family of artists.
He was employed by both Charles I and II. In 1658 he was described as a portraitist on the scale of life (Sanderson, Graphice, 1658).
Signed and dated portraits of 1632 and 1662 (Sir Robert Chester)are known.
The large painting of the Saltonstall family in the Tate Gallery is traditionally attributed to him.
SIZE:58 x 47.5 inches inc. frame.
PROVENANCE:
*Alexander Edward Murray VC, DSO, MVO, DL (1872-1962), , 8th Earl of Dunmore.
*Christie's, London, 4 March 1932 as 'Lely' (5 gns. to F. Howard).
*Collection of J.W. Delditt.
*Sold by Woods Interior Design, Harrogate, Yorkshire.
*Burrow Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria.
*With Roy Precious Fine Art.
*Collection of a Fellow of a Cambridge College.
VERSO: Old red wax coat of arms collection seal.
Hand written inscription in Polish (?)
Old London framers label.
Old hand written label:"the property of J W Delditt, Great Tower St."
Internal Ref: 8978

Dimensions

Height = 147 cm (58")
Width = 120 cm (47")
Depth = 6 cm (3")