Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex (1631-1683), Soldier
Sitter associated with 12 portraits
Essex was one of the ablest statesmen under Charles II, serving as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1672-77, and First Lord of the Treasury, 1679. Fearing the prospect of a Catholic monarch, he became involved with attempts to exclude James, Duke of York from the succession and, more dangerously, with the schemes of the Duke of Monmouth. Betrayed and imprisoned in the Tower, he was found with his throat cut. Although his death was recorded as suicide, he was probably murdered.
by Cornelius Johnson
oil on canvas, circa 1640
On display in Room 5 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 4759
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex; Elizabeth, Countess of Essex
by Sir Peter Lely
oil on canvas, circa 1655-1660
On display in Room 7 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5461
Politicians in the reign of King Charles II
by and sold by John Savage
line engraving, late 17th century
NPG D29502
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Lloyd, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D29500
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D29501
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Lloyd, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D10944
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D11956
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Smith, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D13143
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Edward Lutterell or Luttrell, published by John Lloyd, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, circa 1682
NPG D13142
'The Earle of Essex's Throat Cut' (Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex; John Holland; Major Webster)
after Francis Barlow
line engraving, 1683 or after
On display in Room 16 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG D23013(m)
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, published 1724
NPG D29507
Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, 1724
NPG D2315
Armed Forces and Intelligence Services
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Soldiers
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Essex
Ireland
Exhibitions and displays
- Treason, Plots and Murder
Until 16 February 2014














