Robert Vansittart (1679-1719), holding Matthew Prior's 'Poems'

Edward Gouge (fl.1690 - d.1735). Oil painting on canvas, Robert Vansittart (1679-1719), holding Matthew Prior's 'Poems' by Edward Gouge (fl.1690-d.1735). A full-length portrait of a young man, standing, turned slightly to right, head slightly facing, gazing at the spectator, in full powdered wig, wearing a blue velvet frock coat lined with cream, collarless with deep turned back cuffs, pocket flaps and very full flared skirt, a cream waistcoat, a white shirt and a long embroidered neckcloth, white/grey breeches and stockings and black square-toed shoes with heels and buckles; a sword hangs from his hip. His right hand rests on his hip, his left supports an upright book on a table to right. The book, the 3rd edition of Poems on Several Occasions (1718), by Matthew Prior, is open at the first page of Solomon on the Vanity of the World, entitled KNOWLEDGE / THE / FIRST BOOK, underneath a headpiece of ? Philosophers, and followed by the poem, starting: “Ye Sons of sainted ones observe, the...” On the table is a black hat trimmed with gold braid and a button, with white gloves behind the hat. On the left is a green draped curtain with a hanging tassel. Lyme Park, Cheshire (Accredited Museum)