STUDIO OF HYACINTHE RIGAUD

French, 1659-1743

Hans William Bentinck, Earl Of Portland, K.G. (1649-1709), c. 1698

Oil on canvas
53 x 42 in.

Collection of The Bass
Gift of John and Johanna Bass
1963.031

Hyacinthe Rigaud was the prominent court painter during the last phase of the reign of Louis XIV. He retained his popularity during the Regency and under Louis XV. Rigaud combined elegant poses with dazzling costume and settings, alongside a sensitive understanding for the sitter’s character. His most well-known work is the majestic portrait of Louis XIV, painted in 1701, now in the collection of the Louvre.

The subject of this painting, Hans William Bentinck, was the son of Dutch nobleman, Baron Bentinck of Diepenheim. He entered the service of William of Orange at an early age and became his close and devoted friend. When William succeeded to the English throne in 1688, Bentinck accompanied him to England and stayed with him. He continued to enjoy the King’s confidence and received the title Earl of Portland in recognition of his services. In 1698, he was in Paris serving as the King’s Ambassador. Extraordinary at conducting negotiations regarding the Spanish Succession and Anglo-French relations, he was a successful diplomat and good acquaintance of Louis XIV. On this particular occasion, he sat at the King’s Court for his portrait by Rigaud.