Oil on canvas,165.1cm by 114.3cm.
In 1700, John, 6th Earl of Exeter inherited a wonderful collection of works of art amassed by his parents, mainly during a series of Continental Grand Tours.
However, the estate was seriously financially embarrassed as a result and he was able to do very little during his twenty one year tenure.
The 1688 Burghley Inventory records: ‘North Bedchamber or 5th Roome….Ld Burghley picture over the chimney by Wissing.’
The Dutch-born William Wissing was an extraordinarily talented portrait painter who studied with, and later assisted, Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680).
He died at Burghley at the age of only 31, having painted the portraits of many members of the family.
