Portrait of a gentleman, possibly Thomas Knatchbull (1571-1623), Robert Peake the elder

Circle of robert peake the elder portrait of a gentleman, possibly thomas knatchbull (1571-1623), three-quarter length, wearing a scarlet and white tunic and a white lace collar oil on canvas; 108 x 85. 6 cm. A label on the frame identifies the sitter as richard knatchbull (1525-1582), eldest son of john knatchbull and his wife alice fowle. However, neither the costume nor the age of this sitter supports this, nor that of his son richard who died in 1590. It is possible that the sitter is thomas knatchbull, second son of richard knatchbull and his wife susan greene (see lot 107). He was born in 1571 and married eleanor astley, the daughter of john astley of maidstone. Their son was sir norton knatchbull, 1st bt. (see lot 109). Thomas knatchbull died in 1623. Date: 17-th century.