Jean 1er PETITOT dit «Le Vieux» (1607-1691)

Lot 54
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Estimation :
2000 - 3000 EUR
Jean 1er PETITOT dit «Le Vieux» (1607-1691)
Double portrait of Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, and his first wife Double-sided enamel on gold 2.9 cm x 2.6 cm This small double-sided enamel on gold is now identified: it is Edward Hyde (1609-1674), 1st Earl of Clarendon, Grand Chancellor and Prime Minister of Charles II, King of England (r. 1660-1685), accompanied by his first wife, Anne Ayliff of Grittenham. This treasure appears for the first time on the market, having been kept in the same property since it was commissioned. Identification was possible by comparison with various portraits painted by Adrian Hannemann (c. 1648-1655, National Portrait Gallery, NPG 773) and by Sir Peter Lely (undated, before 1667 (?), Checkers Court, Aylesbury). A cabinet miniature, signed by David Myers is also known, mentioned by Foskett and probably sold by Bonham's on 20 May 2009 (lot 14). The enamel presented here is believed to be a version based on a miniature by Samuel Cooper, not found to date. Edward Hyde is considered one of the greatest politicians of the Restoration. He received great favours from Charles II thanks to his military prowess, and rose to the highest echelons of power. However, his refusal to support certain bills and several military setbacks, and his role in the marriage between the king and Catherine of Braganza, earned him many enemies. In November 1667, he fled to France. He died in exile in Rouen in December 1674. Hyde married twice. His first marriage with Anne Ayliffe of Grittenham in 1629 was very short lived, she died six months later. He remarried in 1634 to Frances Aylesbury with whom he had several children including Ann, future wife of James II (r.1685-1687). Frances died in her turn in 1667. The comparison with an engraved portrait of the latter confirms that the reverse side of the enamel does not represent her. Although we have no other iconographic example of Anne Ayliff, the costume and finery of this woman, dated around 1620-1630, suggest that this is ind
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