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Unknown
17th Century English Portrait of Admiral Horatio Nelson's great grandfather

circa 1695

About the Item

A fascinating portrait dating from circa 1695-1700 with wonderful provenance: it belonged to the British industrialist Leonard Pelham Lee (1903–1980) and hung in his manor house in Warwickshire. Purportedly and according an old label on the verso, it depicts William Nelson, Admiral Horatio Nelson's paternal great-great grandfather. William was born in 1653 or 54 and was baptised at Wendling in Norfolk, the son of Edmund and Alice Nelson, on the 24th of March 1654. He became Rector of Hillington and was described in son Edmund Nelson's Cambridge University entry as "William Nelson of Dunham, Norfolk". He passed on in 1711. Our painting is presented in a finely carved period 17th Century frame, the overall size being 80 x 69 cm.
  • Creation Year:
    circa 1695
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 31.5 in (80 cm)Width: 27.17 in (69 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    presents well. canvas relined and possibly trimmed, inpainting visible under uv. losses and wear to frame.
  • Gallery Location:
    Norwich, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU991310936552
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