Esme Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, c 1542 - 1583. Favourite of James VI and I
About this artwork
Esme Stewart, Duke of Lennox, arrived in Scotland from France in 1579. King James, who was 13 years old at the time, was quickly drawn to his cultured cousin. James showered him with prestigious roles and titles. His rivals believed Lennox had too much influence over the teenage king, even claiming James was infatuated with him. This drawing was copied from a 16th–century portrait of Lennox. The Earl of Buchan was a Scottish antiquarian and amateur artist. He made many studies of original Scottish portraits, which he often annotated. The notes on this drawing record the sitter’s eye and hair colour, clothing detail and biographical information.
Published June 2022
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artist:David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan (1742 - 1829) Scottish
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title:Esme Stewart, 1st Duke of Lennox, c 1542 - 1583. Favourite of James VI and I
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date created:Unknown
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materials:Pencil and chalk on paper
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measurements:34.50 x 26.70 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Bequeathed by W.F. Watson 1886
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accession number:PG 1624
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gallery:
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depicted:
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subject:
David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan
David Stewart Erskine, 11th Earl of Buchan
David Erskine, later 11th Earl of Buchan, was an antiquary and unsuccessful political reformer. Schooled by his parents, both of whom had studied mathematics under Colin Maclaurin, he later attended classes at St Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow. After his succession to the earldom in 1767 he...