Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle

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© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle

after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
oil on panel, 1700-1725, based on a work of circa 1700
14 3/4 in. x 9 3/4 in. (375 mm x 248 mm)
Bequeathed by Edmund Montagu Boyle, 1931
Primary Collection
NPG 2495

Sittersback to top

Artistback to top

  • Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt (1646-1723), Portrait painter. Artist or producer associated with 1689 portraits, Sitter associated with 30 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Burlington was the greatest promoter of the neo-classical 'Palladian' style in architecture and garden design. Admirers of the Italian Palladian saw England as the true heir to the glories of classical Rome. This portrait shows Burlington aged about six and is, therefore, somewhat prophetic. Adopting a long-standing tradition of painting children in 'Roman' costume, Kneller has shown Burlington in ancient sandals, classical drapery and with a commanding gesture that sets him apart from his more naturalistically depicted sister, Jane. More detailed information on this portrait is available in a National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue, John Kerslake's Early Georgian Portraits (1977, out of print).

Related worksback to top

  • NPG D11554: Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D32425: Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D32424: Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle (based on same portrait)
  • NPG D33446: Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork; Lady Jane Boyle (based on same portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Events of 1700back to top

Current affairs

The sudden death of Prince William, son of Princess Anne and George, Prince of Denmark, triggers a succession crisis. His birth had secured the succession of the crown to a Protestant, safeguarding the throne from any future claim by James II's Catholic son, James Francis.

Art and science

Dramatist, William Congreve's comedy The Way of the World premieres at Lincoln's Inn Theatre, receiving a mixed reception. It would achieve greater literary acclaim in modern times.
Poet, John Dryden, dies and is buried in Geoffrey Chaucer's grave in Westminster Abbey.

International

Diplomat and poet, Matthew Prior, secretly negotiates with Louis XIV, king of France, a second partition treaty concerning the Spanish Empire. However, following the death of Spanish ruler, Carlos II, the agreement collapses since neither Spanish or Austrian governments accept the treaty's proposals.

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