Lot 169: Studio of John de Critz I (Antwerp 1551/2-1642 London)

Studio of John de Critz I (Antwerp 1551/2-1642 London) Portrait of Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury (1563-1612), half-length, in a black doublet and white ruff, his left hand holding a pomander, his right hand holding a seal inscribed with the sitter's motto 'SERO, SED SERIO' (upper left), his coat-of-arms (lower left, on the box), and dated '1608' (upper right) oil on oak panel 35 7/8 x 29 3/8 in. (91.1 x 74.7 cm.)

91.1 x 74.7 cm.

Judge Murnaghan, Dublin, and by descent to the present owner.

We are grateful to Caroline Rae who, on the basis of a photograph, believes this portrait to be from the studio of de Critz. She compares it with the portraits of Cecil in the National Portrait Gallery (see R. Strong, Tudor and Jacobean Portraits, London, 1969, I, p. 274, no. 107, ii, pl. 536) and that at Ingatestone Hall, Essex.