(Flemish, 1561-1635)

Portrait inscribed "Francis, Earl of Berkshire, Visct. Thame, Baron Norris of Ryot, ob 1623", unsigned, oil on panel, 15-1/2 x 12-1/8 in.; Larsen Juhl reproduction wood frame, with partial "Frost & Reed" label from older framing in envelope verso, 21-3/8 x 18 x 1-1/4 in.

Provenance: E. Holland Martin; Frost and Reed, London; Hirschel and Adler, New York; Estate of Julia Johnson, Eastern Shore of Virginia; Brunk Auctions July 8-9 2016, lot 117, sold for $1000, as Circle of Gerrit Van Honthorst; Private Virginia Collection

Note: Tony Roberts of Cider House opined it was Flemish School after a long-lost original by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger. Gheeraerts the Younger was popular among nobles and monarchs, and as such, kept a staff of apprentices and assistants. It is believed this copy may be a reproduction by one of those assistants.

The sitter, Sir Francis Norris, was ill-tempered and of a volatile nature. He was twice convicted, first for manslaughter following his killing of a servant bystander during a duel (for which he was pardoned by James I), and then for striking one Lord Scope in the House of Lords. For this latter crime, he was jailed and made to apologize before the Prince. Overwhelmed by the embarrassment of this incident, he allegedly went to his home and shot himself with a crossbow, dying of the wound two days later. However, given his temperament and considerable number of disputes and enemies, some believe he may have been murdered.