John Tradescant the Younger

Sitterback to top

• John Tradescant the Younger (1608-1662), Gardener and collector. Sitter associated with 7 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Thomas De Critz (1607-1653). Artist associated with 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

Tradescant was a traveller, horticulturalist, collector and gardener to Queen Henrietta Maria. His home in South Lambeth, called The Ark, was filled with his Museum Tradescantianum, a collection of rarities which included birds, fish, shells, insects, minerals, coins, medals and unusual plants. After his death the collection went to Elias Ashmole, who subsequently presented it to Oxford University, where it formed the basis of the Ashmolean Museum. The moss growing on the skull in the portrait is probably in allusion to the belief that a powder made 'out of the mosse of a man's scull' was 'a soveraine remedy for the falling sickness (epilepsy)'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 621

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Skulls and bones