Oil on canvas, oval 73.7cm by 61cm.
The portrait was painted for the Honourable Order of Little Bedlam, and acquired circa 1688-90 by John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700), founder and a fellow member of the Club.
Lord Gainsborough (1684-1714), is depicted with a whippet, his animal avatar, which was required for membership of the club.
It bears his name upon its collar.
A later addition to the 1688 Burghley Inventory records: ‘Severall Pictures Bought and brought in to Burghley house Since the fore Goeing inventory was Taken Aug[ust] 12th 1690…’1 picture of Mr Bapt(ist) Noel} no fframe by Sig[no]r Verrio.’
The German-born Closterman’s portraits were mostly of members of European nobility and their families.
