STUDIO OF SIR GODFREY KNELLER (BRITISH 1646-1723)
THREE-QUARTER LENGTH PORTRAIT OF THE DUKE OF SCHOMBERG
Auction: 28 September 2011 at 12:00 BST
Description
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
127cm x 101cm (50in x 40in)
Footnote
Note:
The Duke of Schomberg (1616-1690) is spectacular subject matter for a formal portrait, depicting one of the great professional soldiers and military leaders of 17th century Europe, the ‘Ablest Soldier of his Age’, as
Matthew Glozier has subtitled his recent biography of the Heidelberg-born Mashal Schomberg. An orphan from an early age, he began his career in the service of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, eventually serving Sweden, France, the Dutch Republic, Brandenburg and Britain in their military endeavours. He was a Marshal of France and a General in the English and Portuguese armies, was awarded the title of Count of
Mértola by the King of Portugal, the Order of the Garter and created Duke of
Schomberg in the English Peerage.
As historians have noted, Schomberg was one of the last international soldiers and military leaders, prospering at a time when borders in Europe were more permeable and there was a constant need for
experienced military leaders. That became less the case towards the end of the seventeenth century when different governments took more control of their armies. An inflexible Protestant, Schomberg married a French Huguenot woman and eventually led William II’s armies against the Jacobite supporters of James II in Ireland, second-in-command
to the Prince of Orange. He died at the Battle of the Boyne on 1st July 1690 whilst crossing the Boyne river and rallying his men and is buried in St Patrick’s Cathedral.