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John Selden (1584-1654), mid 19th century (watercolour, gilded wood)
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John Selden (1584-1654), mid 19th century (watercolour, gilded wood)
7340103 John Selden (1584-1654), mid 19th century (watercolour, gilded wood) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); 6.3x4.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: unknown; after Sir Peter Lely
An oval miniature in watercolour, in a partly gilded oval wooden display frame, with a suspension ring and a metal scroll label below, lettered John Selden'. The inscription 15 John Selden is also on the back in ink. The sitter is shown head and shoulders, as a fairly young man with grey eyes and long brown natural hair, his body turned fully to his right but with his head turned out to face the viewer. He wears a plain white puritan collar over a black doublet or coat and is shown against a dark brown background. Selden was a lawyer and a historical and linguistic scholar, born in Sussex. After Oxford University he became a lawyer in London, being called to the bar in 1612, and rapidly gained a circle of learned, cultured and aristocratic friends. A man of huge intellect, he was a formidable linguist in both modern and ancient languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, Persian and others. These were all cited in his scholarly work as a legal, linguistic and religious historian, which was his main vocation, although he supported himself as a very able barrister. In the 1620s he became an MP (in several seats), and a leader in resisting the increasing power of the crown, which led to his imprisonment in the Tower of London in 1629-1631, though an apology to Charles I eventually obtained his final release without charge in 1634. The enforced leisure, however, gave him time to complete a number of books. In the early 1640s he was a member of the Long Parliament and under the Commonwealth was made the keeper of records in the Tower (1643), and a Commissioner of the Admiralty in 1644. He helped many people who ran into difficuties in the Civil War and was effective in preventing considerable destruction of libraries and other cultural assets at that time. Selden's main importance from a maritime view point lies in just one of his lesser and earlier works, Mare Clausum, a seminal treatise on sea-law of which he drafted the earliest version for James I. The artist is unidentified but the previous Museum record suggests it is an 18th century imitation of a 17th century miniature'. It is in fact a copy of a portrait by (or according to modern view, after), Lely in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, to which Selden bequeathed a large proportion of his own manuscript and book collection. It could only be 18th century if copied from the original there and may more probably be a mid 19th century copy based on an 1835 print from that portrait by Robert Hart, or even the copy from which Hart worked.); © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Media ID 38515866
© © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London / Bridgeman Images
17th Century Fashion Cameo Watercolors Watercolour Paint
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite watercolour portrait of John Selden, dating back to the mid 19th century, captures the essence of a man who was not only a lawyer but also a historical and linguistic scholar. The unknown artist has depicted Selden as a fairly young man with piercing grey eyes and long brown hair, dressed in a simple white 'puritan' collar over a black doublet or coat. His body is turned to the right, but his head is facing out towards the viewer, exuding an air of intelligence and wisdom.
Selden's vast intellect shines through in this miniature portrait, showcasing his proficiency in modern and ancient languages such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Persian. As a legal historian and barrister in London during the early 17th century, he gained fame for his scholarly work on legal, linguistic, and religious matters.
Despite facing imprisonment in the Tower of London for resisting royal power under Charles I's reign, Selden continued to pursue his passion for knowledge. He played key roles in Parliament during the Civil War era and even helped preserve cultural assets from destruction.
This portrait serves as a tribute to John Selden's enduring legacy as one of England's most brilliant minds of his time. It is not just an artwork; it is a window into history that immortalizes the remarkable achievements of this remarkable individual.
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