(British, 1646-1723)

James Craggs the Younger (1686-1721), after 1708, signed lower right "G. Kneller", letter on table inscribed to "To/His Catholicke/Majesty/Charles the 3.", inscribed lower left "The Honble Jas Craggs/Esqr: Sec: of State/to K. Geo: 1st.", oil on canvas, 49-1/2 x 40-5/8 in.; carved and gilt wood panel frame, 58-1/2 x 48-1/2 x 2-1/2 in.

Provenance: Possibly Sotheby's, June 18, 1976, lot 132

Note: This portrait depicts James Craggs The Younger, the father of Harriet Craggs (see lot 26), and who also held important offices such as the Secretary of War in 1717, the Secretary of State, and one of the original backers of the Royal Academy of Music.

A note from the National Portrait Gallery, London, which houses one of the portraits by Kneller of this subject, states, "The inscription on the paper refers to Charles, Archduke of Austria, the favoured British candidate for the Spanish throne until 1711 when he was elected Emperor Charles VI. Craggs was appointed envoy in Spain in 1708 at the age of 22 and NPG 1134 probably marks this appointment; in any case it was painted before 1711. It is not clear which is Kneller's original portrait. There is a version at Port Eliot (exhibited Second Special Exhibition of National Portraits (....William and Mary to MDCCC), South Kensington, 1867, no.225, (1) and four others were: Sotheby's, June 18, 1976, lot 132, signed (2) Madingley sale, Foster's, June 14, 1871, lot 88, signed (3) Clumber sale, Christie's, June 4, 1937, lot 48, from Stowe (4)." This portrait fits the description of number 2.

Reference: https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portraitExtended/mw01553/James-Craggs-the-Younger#ref3