Sir Mathew Hale (1609-1676) judge and writer; Chief Justice of the King’s Bench

  • About the work
    Location
    Country: UK
    City: London
    Place: Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
  • About the artist
    John Michael Wright was the son of a London tailor. He was apprenticed to G. Jamesone in Edinburgh from the age of 19. From 1642, for some ten years, he lived in Rome and was a member of the Academy of St Luke. He also practised in France and ‘other parts’. After returning to England he became Picture Drawer to Charles II, producing royal portraits and designs for Charles’s bedchamber at Whitehall Palace. Reaction to the Popish Plot caused Wright to temporarily relocate to Dublin in 1678. James II’s accession in 1685 brought further royal commissions and Wright designed coaches, costumes and decorations for the procession accompanying an embassy to the Pope. Wright’s career declined during his later years and he died in relative poverty.
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  • Details
    Title
    Sir Mathew Hale (1609-1676) judge and writer; Chief Justice of the King’s Bench
    Date
    1671
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 123.50 cm, width: 100.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Presented by the Inner Temple, 1956
    Inscription
    tl: Sr Mattw Hale / 18 May 1671
    GAC number
    RCJ3453