Lot 2155
ENGLISH SCHOOL, 18/19th CENTURY
PORTRAIT OF THOMAS SMITH (1512-1577)
Half length, wearing a black robe, fur collar and black cap, within an ebonised frame with gilt legend, oil on board
72.5 x 59.5cm.
Provenance: The family of Capt. D. G. Prinsep, Royal Artillery
* The sitter was a scholar, diplomat and political theorist. He was appointed Secretary of State under the Duke of Somerset's protectorate, but he was not favoured under Queen Mary's reign. However, Smith was returned to high office under Elizabeth I, becoming one of her most trusted Protestant advisers. He is depicted at the age of 33.
The legend reads: CERNITUR EFFIGIES FACTIS VERA AT PENICILLUS CORPORIS ATQUE UMBRAE TANTUM SIMULACHRA REPONIT - LOVE AND FEARE AETATIS SUAE XXXIII
