Portrait of William Killigrew

Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599 - 1641)

Tate Collection

1638

A three-quarter length portrait of Sir William Killigrew, a courtier to Charles I and a playwright. Killigrew leans pensively against the base of a column, and the viewer's attention is drawn to a ring attached to his jacket by a ribbon, perhaps a sign of mourning. The features are rich with restrained emotion, and the lips slightly parted.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 104.1 x 82.6cm
• Art Fund Grant: £50000 ( Total: £450,000; Tax Remission)
• ArtFunded in: 2002
• Vendor: Through Robert Holden Ltd

Provenance

Presumably the Killigrew family; William Carpenter by early 19th century; sold at Phillips, 1853; Duke of Newcastle by 1857; thence by descent to 17th Earl of Lincoln and 10th Duke of Newcastle; Fine Art Society, London, 1939; WU Goodbody, 1942; thence by descent to present owners; on loan to Tate since 1997.

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