Portrait of a Man, possibly Thomas Howard, third Viscount Bindon

Portrait of a Man, possibly Thomas Howard, third Viscount Bindon

Robert Peake the elder, 1599

Download3102 × 4000 px View on a wall Edit

Artist: Robert Peake the elder (British, 1551–1619)
Medium: Oil on panel
Size: 44 1/2 × 35 1/4 inches (113 × 89.5 cm)
Museum: Yale Center for British Art
Rights: CC0 — no rights reserved

This vigorous portrait is the only signed work by the English-born painter Robert Peake the Elder. The identity of the sitter is uncertain, and, puzzlingly, the inscribed date was changed from 1599 to 1593 soon after the painting was made. There is good reason to believe that it represents Thomas Howard, third Viscount Bindon (ca. 1539–1611), a junior member of the premier aristocratic family in England. Bindon was a difficult and unpopular figure, described by Sir Walter Raleigh as a “peevish fool,” but thanks to family connections he was given command of the troops responsible for defending the south west of England against possible Spanish or French attack, which explains the baton and high-status black armor.

Text: Yale Center for British Art.

More by Robert Peake the elder

A Woman, possibly Elizabeth Pope (née Watson)

A Woman, possibly Elizabeth Pope (née Watson)

Robert Peake the elder, ca. 1615

Frances, Lady Reynell, of West Ogwell, Devon

Frances, Lady Reynell, of West Ogwell, Devon

Robert Peake the elder, c. 1595

Porträt der Anne Knollys

Porträt der Anne Knollys

Robert Peake the elder, 1582

Anthony Maria Browne, second Viscount Montagu

Anthony Maria Browne, second Viscount Montagu

Robert Peake the elder, ca. 1594

Mary Clopton (née Waldegrave), of Kentwell Hall, Suffolk

Mary Clopton (née Waldegrave), of Kentwell Hall, Suffolk

Robert Peake the elder, ca. 1600

Henry Frederick (1594–1612), Prince of Wales, with Sir John Harington (1592–1614), in the Hunting Field

Henry Frederick (1594–1612), Prince of Wales, with Sir John Harington (1592–1614), in the Hunting Field

Robert Peake the elder, 1603

Princess Elizabeth (1596–1662), Later Queen of Bohemia

Princess Elizabeth (1596–1662), Later Queen of Bohemia

Robert Peake the elder, ca. 1606

Princess Elizabeth (Elizabeth of Bohemia, 'The Winter Queen'), 1596–1662, aged seven

Princess Elizabeth (Elizabeth of Bohemia, 'The Winter Queen'), 1596–1662, aged seven

Robert Peake the elder, 1603

Lady Arabella Stuart, c 1577 - 1615. Only daughter of the 6th Earl of Lennox

Lady Arabella Stuart, c 1577 - 1615. Only daughter of the 6th Earl of Lennox

Robert Peake the elder, 1605

Cecilia Neville

Cecilia Neville

Robert Peake the elder, 1617–1618

Henry, Prince of Wales

Henry, Prince of Wales

Robert Peake the elder, c. 1610

?Katherine, Lady Tollemache

?Katherine, Lady Tollemache

Robert Peake the elder, 1592

Visually similar

Portrait of Marchese Ambrogio Spinola

Portrait of Marchese Ambrogio Spinola

Peter Paul Rubens, 1627

Portrait of a Gentleman

Portrait of a Gentleman

Jacopo Tintoretto

Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Oneglia

Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy, Prince of Oneglia

Anthony van Dyck, 1624

Portrait of Ambrogio Spinola (1569-1630), after 1628

Portrait of Ambrogio Spinola (1569-1630), after 1628

Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1620s

Portrait of Johann VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen

Portrait of Johann VIII, Count of Nassau-Siegen

Anthony van Dyck, c. 1627

Portrait of William I (1533-1584), Prince of Orange

Portrait of William I (1533-1584), Prince of Orange

Adriaen Thomasz. Key, c. 1570s

Philippe de Montmorency

Philippe de Montmorency

Antonis Mor, 1562

Portrait of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange

Portrait of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange

Anthony van Dyck, 1631–1632

Portrait of a man

Portrait of a man

Hans von Aachen, 1590s

Portrait of Reinoud III of Brederode

Portrait of Reinoud III of Brederode

Jan van Scorel, c. 1545

A Man in Armor

Anthony van Dyck, c. 1625

Portrait of Marchese Ambrogio Spinola (1569 - 1630)

Portrait of Marchese Ambrogio Spinola (1569 - 1630)

Anthony van Dyck, 1627