Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619-1682)

Code: 10354

Dimensions:

Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, KG, PC, FRS (1619-1682)
By Abraham Blooteling (1640-90)
Published by John Lloyd (fl.1680-1713 d.)
Mezzotint
No date C.1680 (but later) 
On paper
Size: 4 7/8 in. x 3 5/8 in. (123 mm x 92 mm) plate size; 
         11 1/10 in. x 7 4/10 in. (279 mm x 187 mm) sheet

Oval portrait of Prince Rupert after a portrait by Sir Peter Lely (1618-80), half length with curled wig, lace cravat, sash and armour. Lettered beneath the image:
RUPERTUS. Dei gratiæ Comes Palatinus Rheni Dux Bavariæ / et Cumbria et Totius Angliæ Vice Admirallus et Castri Regalis Windsor / Constabularius et Gubernator &c. A : Blooteling fc: Jo : Lloyd ex:

Prince Rupert was a nephew of Charles I and came to prominence as a senior Royalist general during the English Civil War. After the fall of Charles I he was forced into excile during the Commonwealth. He returned to England following the Restoration and became a senior naval commander for his cousin Charles II. He fought during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars and served as the first Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company.

In addition to his military exploits, Rupert was interested in the arts and sciences. He is closely associated with the development of the mezzotint printmanking technique and was a founding member of the Royal Society. 

John Lloyd, the publisher of this print, was an important London print publisher whose name, like that of Prince Rupert, is associated with the discovery of mezzotint.

See Royal Collection RCIN 611181; 1857,0214.281.+; NPG D42382 etc.

References:
Hollstein 191 / Chaloner Smith 1883 /  Russell 1926