History - Family Portraits
Arthur, third Viscount Irwin (1666-1702) by Leonard Knyff (1650-1721), 104½ X 108½ (265.5 X 275.5)
This huge painting was completed in December 1700, when the artist was paid a total of £35. Following the
rebuilding of the gallery by the sitter's son in 1738-45 it was hung in the centre of the south wall and to
where it was returned in 1990. Here it is flanked by the great girandoles which continue the 'sporting' theme
with the use of carved giltwood dogs and stags.
Lord Irwin owned at least two, and possibly three, other sporting pictures by Knyff in addition to paying £10
for the bird's eye view of Temple Newsam which was later engraved by Jan Kip as part of the series Britannia
Illustrata. Arthur's widow Isabella subscribed to the full set of 80 of these views of gentlemen's seats,
hanging them in unglazed frames in the Steward's Room. She also had a lively correspondence with the artist
attempting to bring him to Yorkshire to revarnish this picture. It appears that Knyff was also a picture dealer
and Lady Irwin received boxfulls of Old Master paintings from him for sale on approval.
Temple Newsam 22.102/48
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