Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork (1566-1643)

Unknown Artist, England, 17th century , British

Title

Datec.1630

MediumOil on canvas, laid on wood

Dimensions

58.5 x 48.5 cm

Credit LinePresented, Patrick Reginald Boyle, 13th Earl of Cork and Orrery, in fulfillment of the intended bequest by his uncle, the 12th Earl, 1996

Object numberNGI.4624

DescriptionRichard Boyle, 'The great Earl', is regarded as a major statesman. Son of Roger Boyle of Kent, he studied law and came to Ireland as an adventurer in 1588. He became a senior property clerk in 1590, and was imprisoned for embezzling records in 1592 but was cleared of the charge the following year. By 1602 he had purchased Sir Walter Raleigh's vast Irish estates and began to amass a huge fortune. Over subsequent years, he continued to advance both socially and politically, becoming 1st Earl of Cork in 1620 and Lord High Treasurer in 1631. This portrait by an unknown artist presents Boyle in costume of the 1620s, with the coat of arms of his family on the right hand side.