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MARCUS GHEERAERTS (PROBABLY STUDIO OR 17TH CENTURY)
Portrait of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1566-1601), standing full length in a landscape wearing
an elaborate white doublet and hose and with the badge etc. of the Order of the Garter, a fortified town
beyond
Oil on canvas, 208 x 139cm,
Provenance: By repute Dublin Castle, afterwards Carrigglas Manor
This is the Woburn Abbey image, of which the English National Portrait Gallery holds a half-length
version.
A favourite of Queen Elizabeth, Essex had an adventurous career both as a solider and sailor in the wars
with Spain culminating in the Sack of Cadiz. He was chancellor of the University of Cambridge and
was held in high regard as a patron of literature, and as a writer of sonnets and performer of masques.
He advanced Francis Bacon who was to betray him at his trial for treason which originated in the
accusation of his having made “a dishonourable and dangerous treaty” with O’Neill, 5th June 1600. His
Irish estates, which his father had seized in South Ulster after a pretty nasty campaign were restored to
the 3rd Earl and remained in family possession until the 19th Century.
€10,000 - 15,000
