Oil on canvas. 119.4cm by 94cm.
Signed l.r.: G. Kneller f.
William Cavendish (1640-1707) was the elder brother of Anne, wife of John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700).
He was a soldier and Whig politician and a great supporter of the Glorious Revolution of 1689, which ended the reign of the Catholic James II.
Cavendish was one of those who invited the Protestant William of Orange and his wife Mary (James II’s elder daughter), to accept the throne as joint monarchs.
He was William III’s Lord Steward; the elevation of his title to a dukedom a reward for his services to the king.
It was he who rebuilt Chatsworth House.
