Dickinson is delighted to present an exciting exhibition, Cromwell Rediscovered, which focuses upon an unfinished work by Robert Walker.
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In Cromwell Rediscovered, Dickinson presents a rare, unfinished portrait of Oliver Cromwell by his favourite artist Robert Walker, which has emerged after remaining hidden for generations in a collection in Northern England. The exhibition aims to shed new light on Cromwell – a complex figure who led Britain through one of its most turbulent periods – and on the unexplained abandonment of this portrait by Walker at a critical juncture in British history.
The restoration process brought a surprise to light: the painting was left unfinished by Walker, raising significant questions. Why would Cromwell’s preferred artist abandon such an important commission? It was painted during a period when Cromwell was facing military challenges in Scotland and Ireland and unrest at home, so the sudden abandonment of the project by Walker indicates that it fell victim to the changing fates of the period.
Oliver Cromwell, the formidable soldier and statesman, was known for his strategic skill and stern Puritanical rule. Leading Parliamentarian forces to victories over the Royalists, he played a pivotal role in the trial and execution of King Charles I, forever altering British history. Although he declined the crown, Cromwell used his image as Lord Protector as a tool of propaganda, to convey strength and resolve. Walker’s portrait shows Cromwell in armour, a calm figure towering against turbulent skies, echoing his controversial leadership style and his aspirations for control.
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Robert Walker (1599 – 1658), Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658), three-quarter-length in armour, with his page, c. 1649-55, oil on canvas, 127.5 x 102.7 cm. (50 ½ x 40 ½ in.), Simon C. Dickinson Ltd.
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Robert Walker, Cromwell’s go-to portraitist, was a master at depicting authority. His earlier portraits of Cromwell solidified a powerful, enduring image that still influences perceptions of the Lord Protector. This rediscovered portrait, with its expressive, unfinished details, highlights the artist’s talent and raises questions about the political risks of such patronage at a time of shifting allegiances.
Cromwell Rediscovered will showcase the restored portrait alongside other works from this pivotal era by artists including Mary Beale, Sir Anthony van Dyck and Cornelius Johnson, offering visitors a fresh perspective on portraiture and political power during one of Britain’s most transformative periods. |
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