Portrait of James, 1st Duke of Hamilton (1606-1649)

James 1st Duke of Hamilton K.G. and two pages by a cannon, on panel.
Painted c.1645 by Remi van Leemput

Although this picture is described as a portrait of the 1st Duke, it appears in an Inventory of 1704 as "A piece done by Rumee of some great officer with his horse and two servants in blue standing by a cannon".

Records refer to a picture identical in composition but with the Marquis of Huntly's head, previously attributed to Poelemburg, at Castle Grimthorpe. The head in this portrait does seem to sit rather uneasily on the shoulders.

The life and character of the Duke and his relations with the Scottish Parliament, King Charles I and other leading figures in Scotland and the events which led to his execution in 1649 are fully documented.