Sir Peter Lely, and Studio, 1618–1680, Dutch, active in England (from 1643)
Title:
Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich
Date:
between 1660 and 1665
Materials & Techniques:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
87 7/8 x 51 1/2 inches (223.2 x 130.8 cm)
Credit Line:
Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Fund
Copyright Status:
Public Domain
Accession Number:
B1980.25.1
Gallery Label:
Edward Montagu, first Earl of Sandwich (1625–72), was a military officer and politician. After serving under Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth period, he was instrumental in bringing about the Restoration of the monarchy following Cromwell’s death. Under Charles II, he served as ambassador to Portugal as well as Spain, and he rose in the ranks of the Royal Navy to become admiral. Sandwich played a crucial role in the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars (1665–67 and 1672–74, respectively) but perished at the Battle of Solebay in Suffolk, on England’s east coast, when his ship, HMS Royal James, was destroyed. Sandwich’s body was recovered in the aftermath, having washed ashore; it was only identifiable from the scorched clothing, which still bore the shield of the Order of the Garter that appears on his shoulder in this portrait. Gallery label for installation of YCBA collection, 2016
