Oliver Cromwell Portrait 1910 Medici Society Chromolithograph After Sir Peter Lely
Oliver Cromwell Portrait 1910 Medici Society Chromolithograph After Sir Peter Lely
An evocative early 20th-century British historical portrait of Oliver Cromwell, published by The Medici Society Ltd in 1910 for The National Portrait Series No. 5, complete with its important original publisher and series labels verso.
Highlights
ā¢ Original Medici Society chromolithograph published in 1910
ā¢ Historical portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599ā1658)
ā¢ The Medici Prints, The National Portrait Series No. 5
ā¢ After the portrait associated with Sir Peter Lely (1618ā1680)
ā¢ Chromolithograph in colours on paper
ā¢ Original Medici Society publisher label surviving verso
ā¢ Original National Portrait Series No. 5 label surviving verso
ā¢ Period documentation identifies the source portrait at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
ā¢ National Portrait Gallery holds an example of the same 1910 publication, reference NPG D34361
ā¢ Rich Edwardian colour printing with warm brown and ochre tones
ā¢ Presented behind protective glass
ā¢ Substantial dark-stained decorative wooden frame
ā¢ Private collection provenance
ā¢ Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTDĀ® collection
ā¢ An appealing work for collectors of British historical portraiture, Cromwelliana and antique prints
Introduction
An impressive Edwardian chromolithographic portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599ā1658), combining historical interest, original documentary evidence and strong decorative presence.
Published in 1910 by The Medici Society Ltd, the work belongs to The Medici Prints, The National Portrait Series and was issued as No. 5.
Cromwell is represented bust-length, his recognisable features and long dark hair emerging against a restrained brown background. His broad pale collar provides a striking contrast with the darker tones of his clothing, creating an image that is both austere and visually commanding.
Particularly desirable is the survival of the original Medici Society labels on the reverse. Together they document the publisher, series, date and source of the portrait and provide an important connection with the object's original publication history.
Catalogue Details
Artist: After Sir Peter Lely (1618ā1680)
Sitter: Oliver Cromwell (1599ā1658)
Title: Portrait of Oliver Cromwell
Date: 1910
Publisher: The Medici Society Ltd
Series: The Medici Prints, The National Portrait Series No. 5
School: British
Period: Edwardian / early 20th century
Medium: Chromolithograph in colours on paper
Subject: Historical bust-length portrait of Oliver Cromwell
Source: Original Medici Society label records the source portrait at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Presentation: Behind protective glass within a dark-stained decorative wooden frame
Catalogue Note
The portrait concentrates attention upon Cromwell himself, eliminating unnecessary narrative or decorative elements from the composition.
Shown bust-length and looking towards the right, Cromwell is characterised by his long dark hair, strongly modelled facial features and broad white collar.
The chromolithographic process introduces layers of warm brown, ochre, flesh and darker tones, producing considerably more depth and colour variation than would be possible through a conventional monochrome reproductive print.
The dark architectural frame complements the restrained character of the image particularly well, giving the portrait a handsome appearance suited to a traditional library, study, office, hallway or period-inspired interior.
The Art of Chromolithography
Chromolithography developed from lithographic printing and allowed publishers to reproduce images using multiple colours.
Individual colours and tonal passages could be applied successively, with accurate registration gradually creating the completed image.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries the process had become particularly associated with quality reproductions of paintings, portraits and decorative works of art.
The present example demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique through the subtle tonal variations visible across Cromwell's face, hair, clothing and background.
The National Portrait Series
The surviving original label identifies the work as:
The Medici Prints, 1910
The National Portrait Series, No. 5
Portrait of Oliver Cromwell
The National Portrait Gallery in London holds another example of this publication, reference NPG D34361, catalogued as a chromolithograph of Oliver Cromwell published by The Medici Society Ltd in 1910 after Sir Peter Lely.
The presence of the original series label on this example provides valuable primary documentary evidence for its identity and publication history.
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon on 25 April 1599 and became one of the central political and military figures of 17th-century British history.
After entering Parliament, Cromwell rose to prominence as a Parliamentarian commander during the English Civil Wars and became closely associated with the New Model Army.
Following the defeat of Charles I and the King's execution in 1649, England became a Commonwealth.
Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector in December 1653, remaining head of the Protectorate until his death on 3 September 1658.
His legacy remains the subject of extensive historical debate, including his role in the execution of Charles I, the constitutional character of the Protectorate and the Parliamentarian military campaigns in Ireland.
The publication of the present portrait in 1910 illustrates the continued prominence of Cromwell's likeness within British historical culture more than two and a half centuries after his lifetime.
After Sir Peter Lely
Sir Peter Lely (1618ā1680) became one of the most important portrait painters working in 17th-century England and served as Principal Painter to Charles II.
The National Portrait Gallery attributes its example of this Medici Society publication as after Sir Peter Lely.
The original label surviving on the present example is particularly interesting because it preserves the historic wording āSir Peter Lely [Samuel Cooper?]ā
This period qualification has been retained within our catalogue record as part of the documentary history of the work.
The Sidney Sussex College Connection
The original Medici Society label records the source as a portrait in oils upon canvas in the Hall of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
The association is especially significant because Oliver Cromwell attended Sidney Sussex College as a young man.
The connection between sitter, college and source portrait consequently adds another layer of historical interest to the Medici Society publication.
The Medici Society
The Medici Society Ltd became known during the early 20th century for publishing reproductions after important paintings and works of art.
One of the surviving labels identifies the publisher as:
The Medici Society Ltd
By Appointment to H.M. the King ā Art Publishers
7 Grafton St., Bond St., W.1
and 63 Bold St., Liverpool
The presence of this original publisher's label together with the National Portrait Series label considerably strengthens the documentary character of the present example.
Original Labels and Documentary Evidence
Two important period labels survive verso.
The first identifies The Medici Society Ltd and records its London and Liverpool addresses together with its appointment as Art Publishers to H.M. the King.
The second records the title, 1910 publication date and National Portrait Series No. 5 designation.
It also identifies the source portrait at Sidney Sussex College and preserves the historic attribution to Sir Peter Lely, with Samuel Cooper queried.
The labels form an important part of the object's history and should remain preserved with the work.
Provenance
The Medici Society Ltd, 1910
Original Medici Society publisher label retained verso
Original The Medici Prints, National Portrait Series No. 5 label retained verso
Private collection
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTDĀ®
Dimensions
Framed:
Height: 53 cm / 20.9 inches
Width: 47.5 cm / 18.7 inches
Depth: 5 cm / 2 inches
Condition Report
Offered in presentable antique condition commensurate with its age of more than a century.
The chromolithograph retains attractive overall colour and definition.
Age-related surface wear is present, including fine vertical and irregular lines visible across areas of the portrait, together with minor scattered marks and spotting.
The protective glazing displays age-related marks and scratches.
The substantial dark-stained wooden frame displays expected historic wear including rubbing, scuffs, scratches, abrasions and areas of finish loss consistent with age and previous display.
The original Medici Society labels verso display natural age-related toning, wear and minor losses but remain substantially legible.
Please review all photographs carefully as they form an integral part of the condition description.
Shipping
Worldwide shipping is available.
The chromolithograph will be professionally packed with appropriate consideration given to the historic paper support, protective glazing and substantial decorative wooden frame. Insured delivery can be arranged according to destination.
Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTDĀ®, recording the artworkās catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.
Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTDĀ®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTDĀ®
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Every artwork is professionally researched and catalogued using comparative scholarship, published reference material and more than two decades of experience within the international fine art market. We are committed to offering collectors works of artistic and historical merit accompanied by transparent provenance research, detailed catalogue descriptions and professional, client-focused service.
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