English school, entourage of Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641): Portrait of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, oil on canvas, 17th C.

Work: ca. 75,5 x 61 cm

Frame: 91,2 x 76,6 cm

William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (8 April 1580 – 10 April 1630) KG, PC, of Wilton House in Wiltshire, was an English nobleman, politician and courtier. He served as Chancellor of the University of Oxford and together with King James I founded Pembroke College, Oxford. In 1608 he was appointed Warden of the Forest of Dean, Constable of St Briavels Castle, Gloucestershire, and in 1609 Governor of Portsmouth, all of which offices he retained until his death. He served as Lord Chamberlain from 1615 to 1625. In 1623 the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays was dedicated to him and his brother and successor Philip Herbert, 1st Earl of Montgomery. (link)

The original Van Dyck portrait was part of the private collection of Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, Wilton House (estate, Salisbury) and thence by descent in the family till the present day. (link)

Provenance:

- The painting was exhibited in the British Institute in 1835.

- Ex-collection Lord Ellesemer, Bridge-Water House.

- Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels, 'Vente publique d'antiquités et de tableaux', Oct. 8-9, 1952, lot 425 (as attributed to Van Dyck).

- Private collection, Belgium.

Ref.:

- Cited in Waagen, vol. 2, p. 40.

- Guiffrey-Van Dyck cat. n° 1.035.

Condition: (UV-checked)

- The painting in good and hangable condition.

- Relined.

- The UV-light shows the typical colour of the varnish.

- Faint nework of craquelures visible in the face.