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Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.
Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.
Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.
Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.
Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.
Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.

LOT NO 6183

STOCK NO 143206

Follower of Anthony van Dyck (Flemish 1599–1641) or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Jonson) (Dutch 1593-1661): 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet' Holding a Shakespeare Folio, 17th/18th century oil on canvas extensively inscribed verso 55cm x 34cm Notes: This painting represents the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) depicted in the theatrical guise of Hamlet, with a folio volume labeled 'Shakespeare' cradled in his arm. The costume echoes Royalist fashion, directly opposing the Puritan sensibilities of his day. The work may be a copy of a lost original by Anthony van Dyck, or by Cornelius Johnson (Sanders), a noted portraitist of the Stuart court. Annotations on the reverse suggest the portrait passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee. Transcription verso (with illegible aspects removed) reads: .. the work of Cornelius Sanders. Sir John is depicted here... leaving his life as a player. With a folio book in hand, a paper between the leaves bears the title “Shakespeare.” He has achieved hair — and wears it in the flowing style so offensive to the roundheads of his day. He is dressed in close vestments, with a blue mantle fastened over the right shoulder by a gold button, and he wears calf boots of tanned leather — in the murkin fashion. The scene is nicely coloured and not overpoweringly dark as was too common in that day. This fashion may possibly be over... Noted in his life among eminent men. In the house of Lady Southcote, wife of Suckling, the local tradition holds it to be what it was thought — a portrait in the character of Hamlet. A memento? The marriage of the Davies? Or his sister... with Sir Thomas Lee? Sir John Suckling was born 1608 and died 1641. A delightful writer of what was once called “occidental verse.” He is rarely coarse, and his well-known “Ballad Upon a Wedding” has long been admired for its graphic description and bold expression. This lively effort in affectation was occasioned by the marriage of Lord Brockhill with the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk — perhaps alluded to in this portrayal.

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Further Information & Condition Report

Attributed to a Follower of Anthony van Dyck or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen, this 17th/18th-century oil on canvas portrays 'Portrait of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet', clutching a Shakespeare folio. The painting captures the cavalier poet and dramatist Sir John Suckling (1608–1641) in the role of Hamlet, donning Royalist attire that defies the Puritan standards of his time.

The artwork, potentially a replication of a lost original by van Dyck or Cornelius Johnson, showcases Sir John Suckling in a theatrical departure from his life as a player. The verso of the canvas, inscribed with details attributing the work to Cornelius Sanders, describes Sir John's depiction with flowing hair, wearing a blue mantle with gold accents, and calf boots in the murkin style. The portrait, coloured vibrantly contrary to the era's common dark tones, is believed to have passed through the family of Lady Southcote, Suckling’s sister, and her husband Sir Thomas Lee.

Sir John Suckling, renowned for his "occidental verse," is celebrated for works like the "Ballad Upon a Wedding," known for its vivid descriptions and bold language. The portrayal of Sir John as Hamlet in this painting may be linked to significant events such as the marriage of Lord Brockhill to the daughter of the Earl of Suffolk, as hinted at in the artwork.

Discover this captivating historical artwork at Duggleby Auctioneers and delve into the intriguing depiction of Sir John Suckling as Hamlet, a fusion of literature and art from the 17th/18th century.



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