Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso

Oliver St John, 1st Baron St John of Bletso (circa 1520-1582), Courtier and Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.

This portrait is the only surviving signed work by the Netherlandish artist Arnold van Bronckorst. He probably trained with Nicholas Hilliard, and worked both in England and at the Scottish court. The signature which can be seen running down the right-hand side of the painting reads as follows: 'AR BRONCKORST FECIT 1578'.