An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Sir Anthony Mildmay, Knight of Apethorpe, Northamptonshirec. 1590–93
Nicholas Hilliard
Framed by the folds of a circular tent, Sir Anthony Mildmay strikes a relaxed and confident pose, with his right hand resting on a cloth-covered table and his left grasping the hilt of his thin, double-edged sword called a rapier. Helmet, gauntlet, and leg coverings are scattered about, as if Mildmay has been interrupted in the act of putting on or taking off his armor. Despite its small scale, this portrait reveals Nicholas Hilliard’s emulation of (and rivalry with) life-size court portraiture, while his meticulous attention to detail and use of costly materials like shell gold reflect the refined world of courtly tournaments.
A little dog gazes adoringly at Mildmay who was by all accounts a very arrogant man.
Watercolor on vellum, laid on card, mounted on wood
Unframed: 23.3 x 17.4 cm (9 3/16 x 6 7/8 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Within the soft curves of a circular tent, a moment is crystallized in time. Sir Anthony Mildmay stands in a relaxed yet confident manner; his presence seems to usher in an air of nobility and grace. His right hand gently rests on a table draped in a delicate cloth, a subtle reminder of the refined world he inhabits. The other hand clasps the hilt of his rapier—a thin, elegant sword that gleams dully, echoing the splendor of the court.
Around him lies a hint of a chaotic moment, with a helmet, gauntlet, and leg coverings strewn carelessly, suggesting he has been interrupted in the midst of donning or doffing his armor. It's as if the very air holds its breath, capturing the fleeting seconds between preparation and action.
This small-scale portrait, crafted with the finesse of Nicholas Hilliard, reveals a deeper rivalry—a dance of artistic inspiration and competition with the grand life's portraiture of the court. Hilliard's meticulous brushwork mirrors the very essence of courtly tournaments, while the costly materials, including the lustrous shell gold, add layers of richness to the image. In this tranquil scene, we see not just a man but the echoing aspirations of a painter seeking to elevate his craft, intertwining the delicate detail of portraiture with the grandeur of life itself.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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