Description

Like many Dutch artists working in late 17th-century England, Gerard Soest catered to members of the upper social classes and aristocracy. The subject of this portrait, Norfolk gentleman Thomas Bulwer, likely hired Soest because of the painter’s ability to convey a sitter’s authority with directness and simplicity. Here, Soest depicted Bulwer clutching a scroll to signal his intellectual interests and influence. Likewise, the subject’s hand poised on the chair’s armrest suggests that he is about to rise, an indication of his active nature. The inscription and date, which were uncovered during cleaning, were added in the 18th century.

Provenance

Rippon Hall, Hevingham, Norwich, by 1910 [according to Singh 1923, who visited Rippon Hall on July 29, 1910]. Lever Galleries, London, by 1937 [according to a letter from Leggatt Brothers to Ilse Hecht dated October 3, 1977, in curatorial file]; sold to Leggatt Brothers, London, 1937 [according to the letter cited above]; sold to Reginald H. Leon, The White House, Denham, Buckinghamshire, 1937 as Portrait of John Bulwer [date according to the letter cited above; title according to a letter from Leggatt Brothers to Ilse Hecht dated October 25, 1977, in curatorial file]; his sale, Knight, Frank & Rutley, The White House, Denham, Buckinghamshire, May 9, 1961, lot 49 as Portrait of John Bulwer for £260 to Agnew & Sons [price and buyer according to annotated photocopy of the sale catalogue, in curatorial file]; Agnew Brothers, London; sold to the Art Institute, 1962.