Studio of
Peter Lely
, Dutch, 1618-1680
Title
Portrait of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde (1610-1688)Date1660s
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
229 x 132 cm
Credit LinePresented, 7th Earl of Carlisle, 1864
Object numberNGI.136
Label TextAlthough his family were Catholic, Butler, a royal ward due to the death of his father, was educated as a Protestant and remained loyal to this religion all his life. His marriage to a cousin reunited the estranged branches of his family, and at twenty-three he became Earl of Ormonde and Ossery. During the 1641 rebellion Ormonde was commander-in-chief of the King’s army, and continued to uphold the crown until driven from the country by Cromwell’s forces. After the Restoration Charles II made him Duke of Ormond. He served as Lord Lieutenant and was a very significant patron of the arts.