John Evelyn
1 of 4 portraits by Hendrick van der Borcht the Younger
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
Private collection; on loan to the National Portrait Gallery, London
John Evelyn
by Hendrick van der Borcht the Younger
oil on canvas, 1641
30 1/4 in. x 25 1/4 in. (768 mm x 641 mm)
Lent by a private collection, 1976
Primary Collection
NPG L148
Sitterback to top
- John Evelyn (1620-1706), Diarist and virtuoso. Sitter associated with 13 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Hendrick van der Borcht the Younger (1614-1676), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits, Sitter in 2 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This portrait was probably painted as a gift for Evelyn’s sister on his departure for a grand tour of Europe. The mysterious drawing in his hand may represent David with the head of Goliath.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ingamells, John, Later Stuart Portraits 1685-1714, 2009, p. 86
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 210
Events of 1641back to top
Current affairs
Statesman, John Pym, plays a leading part in bringing charges of treason against the king's chief councillor, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford whose subsequent execution is widely celebrated.The Grand Remonstrance, a long, comprehensive indictment of the king's government since his accession, is narrowly passed by Parliament.
Art and science
Following the death of Sir Anthony van Dyck, William Dobson is appointed Principal Painter to the king.Poet and polemicist, John Milton, publishes the first of several anti-prelatical tracts, attacking the episcopal form of church governance and in particular, the arguments of royalist Joseph Hall, Bishop of Norwich.
International
The Irish Catholic gentry, fearing invasion from the increasingly pro-Puritan English Long Parliament and the Scottish Covenants, launch an unsuccessful coup d'etat in order to seize concessions for Catholics; the ensuing Irish Rebellion, which precipitated civil war in the three kingdoms, is led by Irish rebel, Sir Phelim O'Neill.Comments back to top
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