Henry Portman Seymour
Sir Godfrey Kneller
1714
The German-born Sir Godfrey Kneller was the most prolific and influential artist in Britain from his arrival in London in 1676 until his death nearly fifty years later. This characteristic portrait represents Henry Portman, a Tory member of Parliament, and was probably painted to celebrate his marriage in 1714 to Meliora Fitch, the wealthy daughter of a neighboring squire in Dorset. Portman was then seventy-seven, Fitch just fourteen. The mismatch attracted sardonic comment, which perhaps explains why Portman wears armor and stands in a military camp. These imply his continued vigor, despite his advanced years, as well as being symbolic of virtue and public service.
Yale Center for British Art, New Haven · Image: Yale Center for British Art, Public domain · Text: Yale Center for British Art, CC0