Probably Sir Thomas Aylesbury, Bt

Sitterback to top

• Sir Thomas Aylesbury, Bt (1576-1657), Patron of mathematical learning. Sitter associated with 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• William Dobson (1611-1646), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 54 portraits, Sitter associated with 9 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait is thought to be of Thomas Aylesbury who prospered under the influence of Charles I's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, and became Master of Requests, Master of the Mint and a baronet all in the space of a year. At the outbreak of the Civil War however he was 'stripped of his place, and plundered of his estate' by Parliament. In 1642 he followed the king with his wartime court to Oxford, where he continued to hold the Court of Requests. In this sober portrait the sitter wears the robes of the Master of Requests, and holds, as an emblem of his office, a petition to the king. Behind him on the left is a view of Oxford and on the right, an antique bust thought at the time to represent Seneca, the stoic philosopher, dramatist, and pleader of causes.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Rogers, Malcolm, William Dobson 1611-46: Royalists at War, 1983 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 21 October 1983 - 9 January 1984), p. 10
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 25

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• William Dobson 1611-1646 ‘The most excellent painter that England hath yet bred’ (17 August 2011 - 16 August 2012)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Art in art
• Buildings and architecture
• Carpets and textiles
• Gawthorpe Hall