Portrait of Daniel Parke II (1664-1710)
Dateca. 1704
Attributed to
Sir Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723)
OriginEngland, London
MediumOil on canvas, framed
DimensionsUnframed: 49 3/8 x 40in. (125.4 x 101.6cm) and Framed: 53 3/4 x 44 1/2in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1990-245,A
DescriptionA three-quarter-length portrait of a standing man, his body turned one quarter away from viewer, head to the front and eyes on viewer. He wears field armor and holds a baton in his proper right hand; his left proper thumb is looped through the handle of a sword at his hip. A mustard-colored sash with gold embroidery is tied round his waist. He wears a miniature portrait of Queen Anne on a red ribbon around his neck. A white neck stock and cuffs show beneath the armor. He wears a long, curly, light brown, powdered wig. Beyond the subject's proper left elbow is a smoky battle scene, with a tree and indistinct red drapery [?] behind the subject's proper right shoulder. A table beside the proper right hand displays three gold-colored medals and a helmet with face visor up to reveal its red fabric lining.The 2 3/8-inch gilded, cushion-style frame is possibly original but needs to be examined more thoroughly as of 7-3-2009.
Label TextDaniel Parke II was born only a few miles from Williamsburg at Queen’s Creek plantation. The wealthy, ambitious youth aspired to become the first native-born governor of Virginia, but the office eluded his grasp. Disappointed with his stagnating political career, Parke went abroad to try military service. He found fame at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704, when he was chosen by the Duke of Marlborough to carry word of Britain's critical victory to Queen Anne. Credible oral history states that the queen, elated by the news, bestowed on her messenger a miniature portrait of herself. In this portrait, the likeness hangs on a ribbon around Parke's neck; it is included in all known portraits of the man. The queen also appointed Parke governor of the Leeward Islands. The appointment proved unhappy, however; Parke was murdered by his constituents in 1710.
Kneller depicted Parke in field armor, holding the baton of command and with the Battle of Blenheim raging in the background. For years this portrait subject was misidentified as the Duke of Marlborough, but Queen Anne's miniature and the medals at lower left (which were awarded Parke by the Dutch) substantiate the current identification. Among the hundreds of portraits attributed to Sir Godfrey Kneller, many actually were produced by studio assistants. This image, however, appears to have been painted by the master himself, his bravura brushstrokes being discernible in the quickly drawn battle scene and in several design changes. The most noticeable change is seen in the armor inside the red ribbon; apparently Kneller first planned to show Parke in a coat, waistcoat, and shirt, then switched to depict the subject in his military glory.
InscribedNo original inscriptions have been found as of 7-30-2009, but a more thorough examination needs to be done once the portrait is removed from exhibition.
Notes in white chalk on the upper stretcher include "Lot 26 14 11 40" and, in black ink on a small label covered by scotch tape, "3535." In white paint on the median stretcher is a partially illegible inscription reading "Marl[?] - 39." Stenciled in black beneath the foregoing is "13729."
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceAn unnamed Scandinavian owner (see Cullimore to Hood, November 28, 1991); Mrs. Barbara Cullimore and her husband, Dove Court, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, UK; sold at Sotheby's, London, November 14, 1990.
Exhibition(s)
Probably 1665-1700
1770 (probably)
Probably 1841
