The Eighth Earl of Pembroke, Willem Wissing

Artwork Overview

Willem Wissing, The Eighth Earl of Pembroke
Willem Wissing, The Eighth Earl of Pembroke
Willem Wissing
The Eighth Earl of Pembroke
circa 1708
The Eighth Earl of Pembroke, circa 1708
Where object was made: England, United Kingdom
Material/technique: oil; canvas
Dimensions:
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 124.5 x 99.1 cm
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 49 1/2 x 39 1/2 in
Frame Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth): 60 7/8 x 50 7/8 x 4 3/4 in
Credit line: Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Hugo Emmerich
Accession number: 1958.0125
Not on display
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Exhibition Label: "Corpus," Apr-2012, Chassica Kirchhoff This portrait depicts Thomas Herbert, the Eighth Earl of Pembroke, who served in many high offices, including that of Lord High Admiral of England. He likely commissioned a number of paintings of himself when he was elevated to this office. This painting, like others ordered by the Earl, is based on an original portrait executed by Willem Wissing in 1685. While there are seven known portraits of the Earl that derive from the painting by Wissing, the marks of office that were included in this rendition allow us to date the image. The Earl proudly wears the emblem of the Order of the Garter on his belt, and a ship, an indication of his status as Lord High Admiral, can be glimpsed in the background. This painting conveys the confidence that an aristocratic heritage and illustrious political career would have lent the Earl. The Earl himself was a renowned collector of art, and was likely well-aware of the effect that an image could have in fashioning a distinctive and dignified persona.