Equestrian portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)

This portrait shows Cromwell wearing a grey silk velvet suit, matching that which he wore to his daughter Frances’ wedding in 1657, and which was subsequently used to dress one of the life sized effigies at his state funeral in November 1658.

The painting is most likely based on an engraving of Cromwell by the Dutch publisher Rombout van den Hoeye. It is unusual to have images of Cromwell on horseback, despite having made his name as a cavalry commander in the Civil Wars.

London can be seen in the background, a decade before much of it was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. These include old St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge and many medieval churches. Surviving buildings including the Tower of London and Southwark Cathedral can also be seen.