probably Charles Cecil

1 portrait by Jan van der Vaart

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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probably Charles Cecil

by Bernard Lens (II), after Jan van der Vaart, published by Edward Cooper
mezzotint, early 18th century
13 3/8 in. x 10 in. (340 mm x 254 mm) paper size
Given by the daughter of compiler William Fleming MD, Mary Elizabeth Stopford (née Fleming), 1931
Reference Collection
NPG D29948

Sitterback to top

  • Charles Cecil (circa 1683-1726), Third son of John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter; MP for Stamford. Sitter associated with 3 portraits.

Artistsback to top

  • Edward Cooper (died 1725), Printseller. Artist or producer associated with 169 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.
  • Bernard Lens (II) (1659 or 1660-1725), Artist and mezzotinter. Artist or producer associated with 32 portraits, Sitter associated with 1 portrait.
  • Jan van der Vaart (1647-1721), Artist. Artist or producer associated with 52 portraits.

Related worksback to top

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Subjects & Themesback 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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Amy Lim

23 September 2019, 12:37

This is likely to be Charles Cecil, son of the fifth (not 6th) earl of Exeter, born c. 1683. Wissing was working for the family at Burghley at the time of his death in 1687, when Vandervaart took over his practice and finished many of his portraits. The original portrait on which this mezzotint is based is likely to date from that time. This is therefore more likely to be by Bernard Lens I not Bernard Lens II, as the younger Lens was born in 1682. The 6th earl of Exeter did not have a son called Charles.