Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658, Samuel Cooper

Oliver cromwell, 1599-1658 cromwell is shown in armour holding a baton in his right hand, his left hand on a close helmet. In the background are cavalry, a fortification (perhaps intended to be dover castle) and, beyond, the sea with shipping. This portrait, acquired as attributed to robert walker (who painted parliamentarians from life) is a posthumous one thought to have been painted around 1720. The head is based on the one which originated in samuel cooper’s unfinished miniature of about 1650, now in the collection of the duke of buccleuch, and the body on van dyck's armoured portrait of the duke of hamilton. The cooper miniature was the source for many repetitions and variations. On the column to the right is the shield of cromwell's protectorate with the date 1658 - that of his death- over the crown at the top and the commonwealth motto, 'pax quaeritur bello' (peace is sought through war), running round below. The name 'oliver cromwell' is inscribed in the column moulding, lower right under the sitter's elbow. Oliver cromwell, 1599-1658. Object Type: painting. Genre: portrait. Date: early 18th century. Dimensions: Painting: 1270 mm x 1015 mm. Medium: oil on canvas. Depicted People: Oliver Cromwell. Collection: Royal Museums Greenwich. Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658 RMG BHC2638