- ARTIST:
- Attributed to Cornelis de Neve (c.1609-78)
- DIMENSIONS:
- (Canvas) Height 79 cm, Width 62 cm; (Frame) Height
97 cm, Width 80 cm
- DESCRIPTION:
- Head and shoulders, half to the spectator's left
against a dark greenish ground. Greyish hair brushed back to show
his left ear; moustache and full beard. His brown eyes look at the
spectator. He wears a black skull-cap and has a gold ring in his ear;
a broad limp white collar falls over the shoulder of his black buttoned
tunic. Inscribed in yellow to left of the head Sr John; to the right,
Tradescant Sen. A trompe-l'œil surround of thick scrolled lead,
through the upper volute of which is a ribbon hung on the left side
with fruit (grapes, a pear, peaches, plums) and on the right side
with vegetables (parsnips, turnips, onions). On the lower volute,
four exotic shells, into the outer of which have been inserted tulips.
Oil on canvas, relined in a black frame with gilt bevel and with applied
gilt winged cherubs at the corners and leaf motifs at the centres.
- COMMENTARY:
- The portrait is evidently posthumous. The surround
seems to have been based on cartouche designs of the type engraved
about 1653-5. The still-life element, allusive to the sitter's horticultural
and conchological interests, but not in any specific way, was possibly
painted by another. No native still-life painter was up to the standard
of this skillful piece, but Sir Ellis Waterhouse has suggested that
Alexander Marshal should be considered. The type is simplified from
Flemish compositions of the mid-century.
- Museum Id. No:
- 1685 A no. 659:
Pictura Dñi Johis Tradescanti senioris
Cimeliarchæ egregii, in margine bullis aureis ornatâ
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