Unknown man, possibly William Drummond of Hawthornden
1 of 11 portraits of William Drummond of Hawthornden
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Unknown man, possibly William Drummond of Hawthornden
by Unknown artist
oil on panel, circa 1610
8 3/4 in. x 7 7/8 in. (222 mm x 200 mm)
Purchased, 1899
Primary Collection
NPG 1195
Sitterback to top
- William Drummond of Hawthornden (1585-1649), Poet. Sitter associated with 11 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The identification of this portrait as the Scottish poet William Drummond is not certain. It is based upon the facial likeness of this sitter to a portrait of Drummond in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The similarity in their costumes suggests that both portraits depict a man of high social status. The swept back hair, embroidered doublet and intricate rising lace collar are typical of early seventeenth-century court fashions. Recent restoration indicates that this work may have been cut down from a larger painting, explaining the small size of this panel. The slightly awkward positioning of the eyes indicates that the artist was challenged by the demands of this pose.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Cooper, Tarnya (introduction) Banville, John (character sketch) Chevalier, Tracy (character sketch) Fellowes, Julian (character sketch) McCall Smith, Alexander (character sketch) Pratchett, Terry (character sketch) Singleton, Sarah (character sketch) Trollope, Joanna (character sketch) Waters, Minette (character sketch), Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from December 2011 - June 2012), p. 71
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 692
- Strong, Roy, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, 1969, p. 73
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- Imagined Lives: Portraits of Unknown People (3 December 2011 - 8 July 2012)
Events of 1610back to top
Current affairs
Lady Arabella Stuart, cousin of James I, secretly marries William Seymour, Marquess of Hertford.James I's chaotic finances prompts Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury to submit to Parliament the great contract which proposed increases to the king's income for James's relinquishment of his feudal rights; however, it was not implemented.
Art and science
The Alchemist, by playwright Benjamin Jonson, is first performed by the acting troupe, the King's Men. Jonson also writes Prince Henry's Barriers, in honour of Henry, Prince of Wales.Stationers' Company agrees to give Thomas Bodley a copy of every book registered with them for his growing Bodleian Library.
International
Henry IV, King of France, is assassinated in Paris by Catholic fanatic, François Ravaillac. Henry, born a Calvinist, converted to Catholicism before ascending the throne to appease his future subjects. Although a popular king, much loved by his people, two earlier attempts had been made on his life.Comments back to top
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