Lot 218: John Closterman (1660-1711)

Portrait of a boy, traditionally identified as the Marquess of Blandford, full-length, in a blue coat with silver embroidery and a white shirt, with an orange wrap, leaning on a stone ledge on which rests a book and a sword, in a landscape
oil on canvas
64 x 44 1/4 in. (162.5 x 112.4 cm.)

By inheritance in the Evelyn family at Wotton House, Surrey.
J.H.C Evelyn (+) and Major Peter Evelyn (+); Christie's, 29 September 1977, lot 77, as of 'William Evelyn, Marquess of Blandford' and as by 'S. Verelst' (sold 750 guineas).

VARIOUS PROPERTIES

At the sale of property belonging to the Evelyn family (Christie's, London, 29 September 1977), the identity of the sitter of this picture was given as 'William Evelyn, Marquess of Blandford'. The picture was one of a number of portraits with Evelyn family provenance in that sale. This identification, however, would appear to be confused, as no such person existed. It is possible that the sitter was in fact William Godolphin, Marquess of Blandford (1700-31), the grandson of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), who became Marquess of Blandford on the death of his uncle John Marquess of Blandford (b.1689) in 1702. However, on the basis of the apparent date of the picture and a comparison with other portraits of William, Marquess of Blandford, and his uncle John, it seems more likely that it is a portrait of the latter. Another possible explanation is that the traditional identification relates to the fourth son of Sir John Evelyn, of Lee Place, in Surrey, who was called William (b.1686).

We are grateful to Sir Oliver Millar and Tabitha Barber for their advice on the attribution of this picture.

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.