Lot 89: The Countess of Lucan (Lady Margaret Bingham) (British, d. 1814)

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham (1628-1687), wearing black and silver doublet and blue garter sash and John Milton (1608-1674), wearing black cloak, white lawn collar with tassels
both inscribed on reverse with sitter's details and signed in monogram, gilt-metal mounts
Oval, 48mm. (1 7/8ins.) and 58mm. (2 1/4ins.) high (2)

part illustrated

Buckingham was adviser to James I and later Charles I. After Charles's accession, Buckingham attempted to form a Protestant coalition in Europe, which led to war with France; however, he failed to relieve the Protestants besieged in La Rochelle in 1627. His policy on the French Protestants was attacked in Parliament, and when about to sail for La Rochelle for a second time, he was assassinated in Portsmouth. This portrait of Buckingham was copied by Lucan from an image by Petitot, then in the collection of the Duke of Devonshire.
Milton is regarded as one of the greatest English poets. Forceful and idealistic, he served the Commonwealth as Latin Secretary but was arrested upon the restoration of Charles II. He was a Puritan, and an opponent of the Catholics and of the Stuarts. His life followed a tragic path - an unhappy marriage, the premature death of his second wife and his eventual blindness in 1652. Milton is best known for his epics, Paradise Lost (1667), Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes (1671). He died in London on November 12, 1674. This portrait of him was copied by Lucan from an image in the collection of the Duke of Portland.