a framed oil on canvas "in the Grand Manner" / "swagger portrait" of William Villiers, 2nd Viscount Grandison (1614-1643) after the original by Sir Anthony Van Dyck,
The original painting is in the collection of The Duke of Grafton, Euston Hall, Suffolk.
William Villiers was born in 1614, eldest son of Sir Edward Villiers (1585-1626) and Barbara St. John (ca 1592-1672). His father was the older half-brother of George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, favourite of both James VI and I and Charles I, a relationship from which he greatly benefitted. Appointed Lord President of Munster, he died in Cork in 1626, leaving enormous debts; his wife was still repaying them in the 1660s.
One of ten children, Villiers' siblings included Anne (1610-1654), John (1616-1659), George (1618-1699), Barbara (1618-1681) and Edward (1620-1689). The Villiers were a powerful and well connected family; William's relatives included John Villiers, 1st Viscount Purbeck, Christopher Villiers, 1st Earl of Anglesey, and Susan Feilding, who was Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Henrietta Maria.
MEASUREMENTS;
92" H x 56.75" W x 3" D
83.25" H x 47.75" W ( canvas without frame )
