Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers

View Similar Items

Harman Verelst - Portrait of a Lady in White Chemise, Russet & Blue Drapery c.1695, Oil Painting

John Baptiste de Medina - Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700

Thomas Murray - Portrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames

Johann Kerseboom - Portrait of Gentleman in Armour by Table & Helmut c.1685 Aristocratic Provenance

Hans Hysing - Portrait of a Gentleman in Grey Coat & White Cravat, Oil on canvas Painting

John Michael Wright - Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress & Pearl Jewellery c.1660 Painting John Wright

Sir Godfrey Kneller - 18th Century portrait oil painting of a lady in an ermine trimmed cloak

Jean Philipe Moreno - SPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting

John Riley - Portrait of William Chiffinch

Charles Towne - 19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable

Unknown - Antique Italian painter - 18th century figure painting

Pieter Van Mol - Diogenes looking for a man, studio of Pieter Van Mol, Paris, 17th century, Paris

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 19

Sir Peter Lely and Studio
Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers
circa 1662

$51,380.63List Price

About the Item

This magnificent grand-scale work, offered by Titan Fine Art, formed part of a collection of family pictures and heirlooms of the Rivers Baronets and their descendants for over 325 years, before it was dispersed by the last in the line in 1988. The work was painted by the most technically proficient painter in England after the death of Van Dyck, and the dominant court painter to Charles II and James, Duke of York, Sir Peter Lely. It is no surprise that for years Lely had no serious rivals, was enormously influential and successful, and one of the country’s most important painters – and his work influenced countless artists over generations. The exquisite carved and gilded auricular frame is an astounding work of art in itself. The sitters in this exquisite double portrait are Sir John Rivers, who succeeded as the 3rd Baronet Chafford in 1657 (c.1638 - c. 1679), and his wife, Lady Anne Hewitt (c.1640-c.1689). They are seated in an outdoor setting beside a fountain modelled as a female figure with water issuing into a scallop-shell. The water, the elaborate sculpted fountain with its scallop-edged bowl, and the open shell in her hand are symbols of fertility - as such they make an appropriate allusion to Lady Anne’s potential as wife and mother, recalling Proverbs, chapter 5, verse 18: “Let thye fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of thye youth”. This reference was realised, as Sir John and Lady Anne produced at least six children; their son George (1665-1734) became 4th Baronet of Chafford. The composition, thus, represents a celebration of marriage and was likely commissioned around the time of the betrothal (the marriage took place 26th Feb 1662 or 1663). The statues in the left margin are 'Youth and 'Old Age' and are a typical form of Memento Mori reminding virile young man that even they will lose their youth and grow old. The Rivers family, originally of Kent, traces its history to Sir Bartholomew Rivers, in the reign of Edward IV. The family included several prominent members including several knights, a Commander in the King's Army, a steward of a ducal estate, a Lord-Mayor of London, and an M.P. John Rivers (c.1659-c.1651) was made 1st Baronet of Chafford in 1622 by King James I. The Chafford estate was the family seat and it remained so until the early 1700s with the death of Sir George Rivers, 4th Baronet (1665–1734), whose sons had all died. The Chafford estate was left to his daughters while the baronetcy passed to nephew John Rivers, 5th Baronet (c. 1718–1743), and then Sir John’s brother, Sir Peter Rivers-Gay, 6th Baronet (c. 1721–1790). Upon Sir Peter Rivers Gay's death the estate passed to his eldest son, Sir Thomas Rivers Gay, 7th Baronet (c. 1770–1805). Sir Thomas, dying in 1805 with no children, bequeathed the estate to his mother Dame Martha Rivers Gay, who managed the estate until 1834 when she settled it on the then Sir Henry Rivers, 9th Baronet (c. 1779–1851) her younger son, before dying shortly thereafter in 1835. Sir Henry had married in 1812 to Charlotte Eales, with whom he had 6 sons and 8 daughters. Upon his death in 1851 the estate passed to his eldest surviving son Sir James Francis Rivers, 10th Baronet (1822–1869). Sir James married Catherine Eastcott in 1867 but died childless in 1869, and the estate passed to his only surviving brother Sir Henry Chandos Rivers, 11th Baronet (1834–1870) but he died a year later in 1870 also childless; with no male heir the Baronetcy was therefore extinguished. The estate was bequeathed, in trust, by Sir Henry Chandos Rivers to Thomas Frederick Inman, a solicitor of Bath, who then managed the estate as a trustee on behalf of Sir Henry Chandos Rivers' sister Katherine Rivers (c.1826-1895). It then passed to Katherine River’s daughter, Katherine Wall (born c.1855), who had also inherited Worthy Park House from her father, George Alfred Ellis Wall (1825-1875). Until 1958 our portrait is known to have hung at Worthy Park House. Upon Katherine Wall’s death, the Rivers estate passed to her daughter, Katherine Eleonora Rivers Fryer (1889-1963), who married Colonel James Alexander Butchart 1877-1853. In 1958 the family sold Worthy Park House but our portrait was loaned to Southampton Museum and Art Gallery. After the death of Katherine and Colonel James, the estate was left to their only son, Charles Bruce Rivers Butchart (1917-2005) and upon Charles’ retirement to a nursing home in 1988, and without heirs, our portrait, along with the residual assets of the Rivers estate were sold, thus ending over 325 years of continual family ownership. Lady Anne Rivers is thought to have been born circa 1640. She was the fourth child of the second marriage of Sir Thomas Hewitt (or Hewett) (1606-1662), 1st Baronet of Pishobury, Herts, and his wife Margaret Lytton (died 1689). Sir Thomas was an English landowner and M.P. for Windsor and upon the English Restoration, he was created a baronet, served as commissioner of militia for the county, and was chosen sheriff of Hertfordshire. Lady Anne had four brother, seven sisters, and one half-sister from her father’s first marriage. She, and her brother George, Viscount Hewett, were coheir of their father’s estate. The precise date of her death is unknown but it was before April 1689. Worthy Park House - The original house on the site was built in 1722. It was bought by Sir Chaloner Ogle, 1st Baronet in 1773. Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, 2nd Baronet inherited the house in 1816. He demolished the west wing and replaced it with a new building, which was completed in 1820. The house was acquired by Samuel Wall, a banker in 1825 (died 1843) and remained in the possession of his descendants, the last being, Charles Bruce Rivers Butchart, who sold the house in the late twentieth century. The sale advertisement listed it as having a “Hall, double drawing room, Esse, dining room, library, extensive offices, 14 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, gardens, farmery and colage; 2 paddocks with road frontage. NEARLY 12 ACRES”. The portrait, with its scale, rich colour, its exquisite draperies, and romantic setting, is an exquisite work of art - and the double portrait format, of this quality, rarely appears on the market. Peter Lely, the son of a Dutch military officer, was born in Germany at Soest in Westphalia in 1618. He studied in Haarlem before moving to London in 1641, and in 1647 he became a freeman of the Painter-Stainers’ Company. Initially, Lely painted landscapes, religious, and mythological scenes, however, he quickly recognised the strength of the English market for portraiture and this is where he turned his attention. He was employed by the Duke of Northumberland, who had the royal children in his care, and he was able to study the Northumberland Collection of works by Van Dyke and Dobson. By the end of the Commonwealth he had became the best known portraitist in England. In 1661 he was appointed Principle Painter to the King and from then on he maintained a busy and successful practise painting the most elite and influential members of the court and everyone of importance. His studio was prolific and he employed many assistants. His success thus meant that he established the basic English portrait style for decades. Lely was a connoisseur and was known for his own fine art collection. By the end of his life he had assembled one the finest non-princely collections in Europe including more than 25 of Van Dyke’s major English works. of Old Masters, including Veronese, Titian, Claude Lorrain and Rubens, and a fabulous collection of drawings, was broken up and sold after his death, raising the immense sum of £26,000. Some items in it which had been acquired by Lely from the Commonwealth dispersal of Charles I's art collections, such as the Lely Venus, were re-acquired by the Royal Collection. Provenance: From the sitters and by descent through the Rivers family, On loan to Southampton Museum and Art Gallery circa 1958-1988, Sold Dreweatts 19 Oct 1988, Sold Gorringes 7 & 8 Sept 2004 [Lot 1114], sold for £38,000, Private collection west England Measurements: Height 178cm x Width 209cm framed (Height 70” x Width 82.25” framed)

Creator:
Sir Peter Lely and Studio (1618 - 1680, Dutch)
Creation Year:
circa 1662
Dimensions:
Height: 70.08 in (178 cm)Width: 82.29 in (209 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
Medium:
Canvas,Oil
Movement & Style:
Old Masters
Period:
17th Century
Condition:
This painting has passed a strict condition assessment by a professional conservator prior to going on sale. It can be hung and enjoyed immediately.
Gallery Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU1199111917592

More From This Seller

View All

Portrait of a Lady in White Chemise, Russet & Blue Drapery c.1695, Oil Painting

By Harman Verelst

Located in London, GB

This lavish portrait, painted circa 1695, is an exquisite example of the type of portrait in vogue during the last quarter of the seventeenth century. It is evident that the artist ...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Lady in White Chemise, Russet & Blue Drapery c.1695, Oil Painting, c.1695

$8,069

Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700

Located in London, GB

The gentleman in this exquisite oil on canvas portrait, presented by Titan Fine Art, is shown with the grandiloquence characteristic of the English School of painting. He is portray...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700, circa 1700

$9,448

Portrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Gentleman with Blue Cloak and Portrait of a Lady in Russet Dress c.1697 Thomas Murray (1663-1735) These fascinating portraits are exquisite examples of portraiture in ...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Thomas Murray
Portrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames, circa 1697

$27,931

Portrait of Gentleman in Armour by Table & Helmut c.1685 Aristocratic Provenance

By Johann Kerseboom

Located in London, GB

Portrait of a Gentleman in Armour beside a Table with Helmut c.1685 Follower or circle of Johann Kerseboom (d.1708) This exquisite Grand Manner work, presented by Titan Fine Art, wa...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of Gentleman in Armour by Table & Helmut c.1685 Aristocratic Provenance, circa 1685

$11,931

Portrait of a Gentleman in Grey Coat & White Cravat, Oil on canvas Painting

Located in London, GB

This exquisite work, presented by Titan Fine Art, is by the notable artist Hans Hysing, who was a noteworthy painter in England; it is significant in its q...

Category

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Gentleman in Grey Coat & White Cravat, Oil on canvas Painting, circa 1730

$10,000

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress & Pearl Jewellery c.1660 Painting John Wright

By John Michael Wright

Located in London, GB

In this exquisite work, painted around the time of the Great Fire of London in 1666, a beautiful young woman is wearing a green dress over a white chemise and a russet-coloured scarf...

Category

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress & Pearl Jewellery c.1660 Painting John Wright, circa 1660

$14,558

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

18th Century portrait oil painting of a lady in an ermine trimmed cloak, C1720

$7,108

SPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting

By Jean Philipe Moreno

Located in Napoli, IT

SPRING PORTRAIT - Oil on canvas cm.30x24 by Jean Philipe Moreno, Italy 2002. Frame available on request from our workshop. Moreno’s portrait depicts a young Parisian woman, her face ...

Category

2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Jean Philipe Moreno
SPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting, 2002

$1,734

Portrait of William Chiffinch

By John Riley

Located in London, GB

John Riley 1646 – 1691 Portrait of William Chiffinch (c.1602-88) Oil on canvas Image size: 30 x 25 inches Original frame Another version of this can be found in the Dulwich Pictur...

Category

1680s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

John Riley
Portrait of William Chiffinch, Circa 1680

$17,241

Free Shipping

19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable

By Charles Towne

Located in Woodbury, CT

English 19th century portrait of a White / Grey hunter in a stable. Charles Towne was born in Wigan in 1763. He was trained as a coach painter, and by ...

Category

1820s Old Masters Animal Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas

Charles Towne
19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable, circa 1820

$19,600 Sale Price

20% Off

Free Shipping

Antique Italian painter - 18th century figure painting

Located in Varmo, IT

Italian painter (18th century) - Chrono. 90.5 x 106 cm. Antique oil painting on canvas, without frame (not signed). Condition report: Lined canvas. Good state of conservation of t...

Category

Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Antique Italian painter - 18th century figure painting, c.1730

$4,728 Sale Price

20% Off

Diogenes looking for a man, studio of Pieter Van Mol, Paris, 17th century, Paris

By Pieter Van Mol

Located in PARIS, FR

Diogenes with his lantern looking for an honest man Studio of Pieter Van Mol (Antwerp 1599 – Paris 1650) Paris, mid-17th century Oil on canvas, h. 44.5 ...

Category

Mid-17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Diogenes looking for a man, studio of Pieter Van Mol, Paris, 17th century, Paris, circa 1640-1650

$17,340

More Ways To Browse

James Peter Henry

Male Old Master Portraits

Mother And Child Statue

Mother Child Statue

Antique Outdoor Statues

Our Lady Statue

Religious Garden Statues

17th C Dutch Portraits

Portrait Painting 1700s

17th Century Female Portraits

Claude Le Lorrain

Portrait Baronet

Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers

View Similar Items

Sir Peter Lely and Studio
Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers
circa 1662

About the Item

More From This Seller

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Lady in White Chemise, Russet & Blue Drapery c.1695, Oil Painting, c.1695

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700, circa 1700

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Thomas Murray
Portrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames, circa 1697

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of Gentleman in Armour by Table & Helmut c.1685 Aristocratic Provenance, circa 1685

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Gentleman in Grey Coat & White Cravat, Oil on canvas Painting, circa 1730

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress & Pearl Jewellery c.1660 Painting John Wright, circa 1660

You May Also Like

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

18th Century portrait oil painting of a lady in an ermine trimmed cloak, C1720

2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Jean Philipe Moreno
SPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting, 2002

1680s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

John Riley
Portrait of William Chiffinch, Circa 1680

1820s Old Masters Animal Paintings

Charles Towne
19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable, circa 1820

Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Antique Italian painter - 18th century figure painting, c.1730

Mid-17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Diogenes looking for a man, studio of Pieter Van Mol, Paris, 17th century, Paris, circa 1640-1650

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers

View Similar Items

Sir Peter Lely and StudioDouble Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Riverscirca 1662

About the Item

More From This Seller

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Lady in White Chemise, Russet & Blue Drapery c.1695, Oil Painting, c.1695

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Gentleman, David Erskine, 13th Laird of Dun, Wearing Armour c.1700, circa 1700

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Thomas MurrayPortrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames, circa 1697

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of Gentleman in Armour by Table & Helmut c.1685 Aristocratic Provenance, circa 1685

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Gentleman in Grey Coat & White Cravat, Oil on canvas Painting, circa 1730

17th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Portrait of a Lady in Green Dress & Pearl Jewellery c.1660 Painting John Wright, circa 1660

You May Also Like

18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings

18th Century portrait oil painting of a lady in an ermine trimmed cloak, C1720

2010s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

Jean Philipe MorenoSPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting, 2002

1680s Old Masters Portrait Paintings

John RileyPortrait of William Chiffinch, Circa 1680

1820s Old Masters Animal Paintings

Charles Towne19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable, circa 1820

Early 18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Antique Italian painter - 18th century figure painting, c.1730

Mid-17th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings

Diogenes looking for a man, studio of Pieter Van Mol, Paris, 17th century, Paris, circa 1640-1650

Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Sir Peter Lely and Studio
Double Portrait of Sir John Rivers 3rd Baronet of Chafford, and Lady Anne Rivers
circa 1662

Thomas Murray
Portrait of Gentleman Blue & Cloak, Portrait of Lady, Fine Carved Gilded frames, circa 1697

Jean Philipe Moreno
SPRING PORTRAIT- French School Impressionist - Italian Oil on Canvas Painting, 2002

John Riley
Portrait of William Chiffinch, Circa 1680

Charles Towne
19th century English portrait of a White/grey hunter in a stable, circa 1820