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Lot Essay
After the death of the 1st Earl of Strafford, the English diplomat Sir Thomas Roe (1581-1644) described Strafford as 'severe abroad and in business, and sweet in private conversation; retired in his friendships but very firm; a terrible judge and a strong enemy'. Van Dyck's prototype (Private collection; see S. Barnes, op. cit., no. IV.124) is executed in the tradition of depictions of other great leaders, specifically Titian's Portrait of Charles V (Madrid, Museo del Prado), and radiates the power and authority his sitter was said to posses.
Despite being one of the more prominent supporters of the 1628 Petition of Right, a bill that attempted to restrict the power of the King, he was a staunch believer in the authority of the Crown as a cornerstone of English democracy, and was created Baron Wentworth in July of this same year. After the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham in December 1628, he was elevated to Viscount Wentworth and became president of the Council of the North, four years later being made Lord Deputy of Ireland. Though he was in many respects a successful governor, developing the country’s resources and starting up new trade with Spain, he remained hugely unpopular, as his methods were seen as tyrannical. One of Parliament's first acts when it was recalled in 1640 was to accuse Strafford of high misdemeanours for his autocratic actions in Ireland. After much dispute, the King was forced against his will to sign the death warrant of his loyal supporter, who was executed at the Tower on 12 May 1641.
Despite being one of the more prominent supporters of the 1628 Petition of Right, a bill that attempted to restrict the power of the King, he was a staunch believer in the authority of the Crown as a cornerstone of English democracy, and was created Baron Wentworth in July of this same year. After the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham in December 1628, he was elevated to Viscount Wentworth and became president of the Council of the North, four years later being made Lord Deputy of Ireland. Though he was in many respects a successful governor, developing the country’s resources and starting up new trade with Spain, he remained hugely unpopular, as his methods were seen as tyrannical. One of Parliament's first acts when it was recalled in 1640 was to accuse Strafford of high misdemeanours for his autocratic actions in Ireland. After much dispute, the King was forced against his will to sign the death warrant of his loyal supporter, who was executed at the Tower on 12 May 1641.