The son of Charles II by Lucy Walter, the sitter married Anne Scott, Countess of Buccleuch in 1663, when he was created Duke of Buccleuch. This equestrian protrait has previously been attributed to both Jan Wyck and Henri Gascars. It was perhaps painted to commemorate Monmouth's command of the British auxiliaries sent to help Louis XIV against the Dutch in 1672-3. A closely related head is used in a three-quarter-length in buff coat (coll. Captain Michael Wemyss).

PROVENANCE by descent from the sitter.

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