Sir Kenelm Digby

1 portrait

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Sir Kenelm Digby

by Peter Oliver
watercolour on vellum, 1627
2 3/4 in. x 2 1/8 in. (70 mm x 55 mm) oval
Transferred from National Gallery, 1994
Primary Collection
NPG 6274

Sitterback to top

  • Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665), Naval commander, diplomat and scientist. Sitter in 24 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Peter Oliver (circa 1589-1647), Miniature painter; eldest son of Isaac Oliver. Artist or producer associated with 17 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 179
  • Schama, Simon, The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits, 2015-09-15, p. 138

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1627back to top

Current affairs

The Five Knights Case. Judge, Sir John Bramston represents two of the 'knights', Sir Thomas Darnell and Sir John Havingham who refused to pay the forced loan imposed by Charles I. Bramston's application for a writ of habeas corpus was unsuccessful and the defendants remained imprisoned without trial.

Art and science

The tragicomedy, The Great Duke of Florence by playwright Philip Massinger, is licensed by Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels, to be performed by the queen's company at the Cockpit Theatre. The play is considered one of Massinger's best dramas.

International

Charles I sends forces commanded by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, to assist starving Huguenots rebels of La Rochelle, besieged by French king, Louis XIII's army. Villiers attempts to capture the French Atlantic fort of Île de Rhé, near Rochelle, but is forced to evacuate the island after three months.

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