This striking mid-17th century portrait depicts Robert Stephens of Eastington, Gloucestershire, at the age of 19, circa 1641-1642, at the outbreak of the English Civil War. The sitter wears blackened armor with gilt rivets and a lace-edged collar, his long natural hair framing the sober expression suited to the turbulent times.

Robert Stephens fought alongside his father, Nathaniel and bother Richard of the Parliamentarian side in the Civil War. After the conflict he rose in the legal profession, admitted to the Middle Temple in 1644, called to the Bar in 1651, appointed a Master of the Bench in 1667, and elevated to Serjeant-at-Law - the highest rank of English counsel - shortly before his death in 1675.

The painting has traditionally been attributed to the circle of Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (1593-1661), a Dutch portraitist active in England known fo this sober yet finely detailed likenesses. The painting has also been exhibited as circle of Theodore Russel (1614-1689), nephew of Janssens and follower of Van Dyck. Its style reflects the Anglo-Dutch portrait tradition of the 1640’s.

Provenance:

Arthur cave, Rossbrin Manor, West Carbery, Co. Cork, Ireland

His sale, Christie’s London, 30 July 1888, lot 382

Private Collection, New England

Lawrence Steigrad Fine Arts, New York, The Affordable Face: Man and Beast, Winter 2000-2001 (as Circle of Theodore Russell)

Christie’s New York, The House Sale, 6 June 2002, Lot 704 (as Circle of Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen)

Doyle New York (recent sale, same attribution)

Details: Medium - oil on canvas, unlined, excellent condition with original inscription preserved verso. Newly cleaned and strip-lined at Baumgartner Fine Art Restoration, Chicago

Dimensions; 30” x 25” (76.3 × 63.5cm) Framed Dimensions: 36.25” x 31” (92 × 78.7cm)

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