Julian Gasgoine said that the 4th Duke of Norfolk was “the most important and influential man in the kingdom during the reign of Elizabeth I”. [Nicola Haseler/BBC]
A 500-year-old painting of the Duke, considered one of the finest Tudor portraits remaining in private hands, is estimated to fetch £3 million at auction.
The painting of Thomas Howard, fourth Duke of Norfolk, born at Kenninghall in the 1530s, was painted by Hans Eworth in 1562.
The painting was on loan from the Waddesdon estate in Buckinghamshire but will go up for auction on Wednesday.
Julian Gascoigne, senior director of Sotheby's Old Master paintings department, said: “It is stunningly well preserved and in the most astonishing condition with minimal retouching or damage, if any, and for a painting that is almost half a millennium old, that is quite impressive.”
Mr Gascoigne added: “It is almost 500 years old. Paintings of this quality, this condition, and this age very rarely appear on the market.
“The Fourth Duke of Norfolk was the most important and influential man in the kingdom during the reign of Elizabeth I. Apart from the monarchy itself, he is truly the most significant in the country… and acquired vast tracts of land throughout England.”
After the death of the Duke's third wife, he tried to choose Mary, Queen of Scots as his fourth wife; however, he was eventually arrested, imprisoned and embroiled in Ridolfi's plot to try to kill Elizabeth I, and was executed.
The painting is believed to have been acquired by the First Lord Rothschild and had been in his family's collection since the 19th century before being loaned to the Waddesdon Estate in Buckinghamshire.
“The Most Important Tudor Portrait”
The Duke's painting represented half of a couple: another work by his then wife, Margaret Audley, was created, and the backgrounds match when they are placed side by side. However, the second portrait will not be auctioned.
Mr Gascoigne said the tapestry's unified background added significance to the work, which was “completely unique” in British art at the time.
“I would go so far as to say that this is one of, if not the most important Tudor portrait remaining in private hands,” he said.
The Howard family's main residence is Arundel Castle in West Sussex, and they have connections with Norfolk, including Castle Rising.
The painting is expected to fetch between £2 million and £3 million at auction in London on Wednesday, which Gascoigne said reflects its significance and importance.
“I hope he gets sent somewhere where he can be properly cared for and kept in the right, proper conditions,” he said.
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