This portrait, dated 1631, appears to have been commissioned to commemorate Sir Archibald's baronetcy, which was created in 1628 and sealed three years later. Sir Archibald wears the badge of a baronet of Nova Scotia. In the background there is a window through which a landscape can be seen. This was presumably intended to represent part of the 16,000 acres in North America which he was granted with his new title. A zealous Protestant, Sir Archibald also had large estates in the North of Ireland and was Secretary of State for Scotland for many years. Jamesone rarely depicted his sitters in full-length poses and the inclusion of a landscape element is also unusual.