Circa 1910 Oliver Cromwell Portrait Chromolithograph After Sir Peter Lely Medici Society

Details

Description

1910 Oliver Cromwell Portrait Chromolithograph After Sir Peter Lely Medici Society
A handsome early 20th-century British historical portrait of Oliver … Read more 1910 Oliver Cromwell Portrait Chromolithograph After Sir Peter Lely Medici Society
A handsome early 20th-century British historical portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658), published in 1910 by The Medici Society Ltd as No. 5 of The National Portrait Series. Presented in a substantial dark-stained wooden frame behind protective glazing, with important original Medici Society documentation retained verso.

Highlights
• Edwardian portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658)
• Published by The Medici Society Ltd in 1910
• The Medici Prints, The National Portrait Series No. 5
• After Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680)
• Chromolithograph in colours on paper
• Original Medici Society publisher label verso
• Original National Portrait Series No. 5 label verso
• Period label identifies the source portrait at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
• National Portrait Gallery holds an example of the same 1910 publication, reference NPG D34361
• Attractive warm brown, ochre and neutral palette
• Substantial dark-stained decorative wooden frame
• Protective glazing
• Excellent decorative scale for a library, study, office or traditional interior
• Private collection provenance
• Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® collection

Introduction
A characterful Edwardian portrait combining British history, period printmaking and strong decorative appeal.
Published by The Medici Society Ltd in 1910, this chromolithograph depicts Oliver Cromwell in bust-length view, his distinctive features, long dark hair and broad pale collar set dramatically against a warm brown background.
The restrained palette and substantial dark wooden frame give the portrait a particularly handsome architectural quality, making it well suited to a traditional library, gentleman's study, office, hallway or layered historic interior.
Beyond its decorative appeal, this example retains important original documentation verso identifying its publisher, date, series and historic source portrait.

Catalogue Details
Artist: After Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680)
Sitter: Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658)
Title: Portrait of Oliver Cromwell
Date: 1910
Publisher: The Medici Society Ltd
Series: The Medici Prints, The National Portrait Series No. 5
School: British
Period: Edwardian / early 20th century
Medium: Chromolithograph in colours on paper
Subject: Historical bust-length portrait
Source: Original Medici Society label records the source portrait at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Presentation: Dark-stained decorative wooden frame with protective glazing

Catalogue Note
The composition places Cromwell firmly at its centre, dispensing with elaborate surroundings in favour of a direct and immediately recognisable historical portrait.
His face and broad white collar emerge against the restrained brown background, while the darker passages of his hair and clothing create visual depth.
The chromolithographic process allowed the publisher to reproduce the original portrait through successive layers of colour, creating subtle variations of flesh tones, ochres, browns and deeper shades.
The substantial dark-stained frame complements the masculine character of the portrait particularly well and gives the piece considerable decorative presence when displayed on the wall.
The National Portrait Series
The original surviving label identifies the work as The Medici Prints, 1910, The National Portrait Series No. 5, Portrait of Oliver Cromwell.
The National Portrait Gallery in London holds an example of the same Medici Society publication, reference NPG D34361, catalogued as a 1910 chromolithograph of Oliver Cromwell published by The Medici Society Ltd after Sir Peter Lely.
The original label retained with this example therefore provides valuable documentary evidence concerning its publication and identity.

Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) became one of the central political and military figures of 17th-century British history.
He rose to prominence as a Parliamentarian military commander during the English Civil Wars and became closely associated with the New Model Army.
Following the defeat of Charles I and the King's execution in 1649, England entered the Commonwealth period. Cromwell later became Lord Protector in December 1653, remaining head of the Protectorate until his death in September 1658.
His historical legacy remains complex and contested, particularly in relation to the execution of Charles I, government during the Protectorate and the Parliamentarian campaigns in Ireland.
The publication of this portrait in 1910 reflects the continued prominence of Cromwell's image within British historical culture.

After Sir Peter Lely
Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) was among the leading portrait painters working in 17th-century England and became Principal Painter to Charles II.
The National Portrait Gallery catalogues its example of this Medici Society publication as after Sir Peter Lely.
The original Medici Society label on the present example preserves the more cautious historic attribution “Sir Peter Lely [Samuel Cooper?]”
This period wording has been retained within the catalogue record as part of the work's documentary history.
The Sidney Sussex College Connection
The original Medici Society documentation records the source as an oil portrait at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
This connection is particularly interesting because Cromwell attended Sidney Sussex College as a young man.
The relationship between the sitter, the college and the source portrait adds another dimension to the historical interest of this Medici Society publication.
Original Labels and Documentary Evidence
Two important period labels survive on the reverse.
One identifies The Medici Society Ltd and records its London and Liverpool addresses together with its appointment as Art Publishers to H.M. the King.
The second identifies the work as The Medici Prints, 1910, The National Portrait Series No. 5, Portrait of Oliver Cromwell.
It also records Sidney Sussex College as the location of the source portrait and preserves the historic attribution to Sir Peter Lely, with Samuel Cooper queried.

Provenance
The Medici Society Ltd, 1910
Original Medici Society publisher label retained verso
Original The Medici Prints, National Portrait Series No. 5 label retained verso
Private collection
Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®
Dimensions
Framed:
Height: 53 cm / 20.9 inches
Width: 47.5 cm / 18.7 inches
Depth: 5 cm / 2 inches
Primary Colours
Dark brown
Warm brown
Cream
Accent Colours
Ochre
Black
Muted gold


Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution
The artwork will be supplied with a Certificate of Sale & Dealer Attribution issued by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®, recording the artwork’s catalogue details, attribution, provenance as stated, and details of the sale. This document accompanies the work as part of its ongoing ownership and provenance record.

Attribution and Research
The historical observations, provenance research, attribution analysis and contextual commentary presented within this catalogue entry represent the professional opinion of Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®. They are offered in good faith as informed scholarly assessments based upon the available evidence, comparative research, published reference material and our experience within the international fine art market.
These observations should be understood as professional opinions rather than definitive statements of fact or guarantees of authorship, attribution, date, origin, provenance or historical interpretation. As with all historic works of art, future documentary discoveries, technical examination, conservation analysis or advances in academic research may refine, expand or revise current interpretations.

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