Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso
1 portrait
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso
by Arnold Bronckorst
oil on panel, 1578
18 7/8 in. x 15 1/2 in. (478 mm x 395 mm)
Purchased, 2011
Primary Collection
NPG 6919
Sitterback to top
- Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso (circa 1520-1582), Courtier and Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire. Sitter in 2 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Arnold Bronckorst (active 1565 or 1566-1585), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits.
This portraitback to top
This portrait is the only surviving signed work by the Netherlandish artist Arnold van Bronckorst. He probably trained with Nicholas Hilliard, and worked both in England and at the Scottish court. The signature which can be seen running down the right-hand side of the painting reads as follows: 'AR BRONCKORST FECIT 1578'.
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- The Tudors Reimagined: George Perfect Harding (From 14 January 2015)
Events of 1578back to top
Current affairs
The heir to the French crown, François, Duke of Anjou visits England to court Queen Elizabeth I. Public opinion is against a marriage due to his nationality and Catholic faith.Sir Humphrey Gilbert receives letters patent that entitle him to explore and colonise 'remote heathen and barbarous landes' on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I.
King James VI of Scotland assumes personal control of the realm, without the aid of a regent, aged eleven.
Art and science
The writer and playwright John Lyly publishes Euphues, the Anatomy of Wit: Very Pleasant for All Gentlemen to Read, one of the most popular books of the period.International
Death of Don John of Austria, Governor of the Netherlands. He is succeeded by Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Palma.The Battle of Wenden - Sweden defeats Russia, marking a turning point in the Livonian War.
Sebastian I of Portugal leads a disastrous crusade against the Moors in northern Africa. He is defeated and killed at the Battle of Alcácazarquivir.
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