Circle of Robert Walker

By descent from the sitter to Oliver Harris Valpy (1876–1914);

By inheritance to to his sister Clara Valpy (1877–1969), who married Seymour William Brooke Boothby (1866–1951); 

Thence by descent in the Boothby family at Fonmon Castle, Vale of Glamorgan, to the present owners. 

A Catalogue of the Pictures in Fonmon Castle 1743, MS D/DF F/190, Glamorgan Archives, Cardiff, no. 26;

S. Redgrave (ed.), Catalogue of The First Special Exhibition of National Portraits Ending with the Reign of James the Second, exh. cat., London 1866, p. 132, no. 783;

B. Glas, ‘Notes and Queries’, in The Red Dragon, Cardiff 1887, vol. 11, p. 188;

Anon., ‘Cambrian Archaeological Association’, in The Builder, London 1888, vol. 55, no. 2377, p. 124;

D. Lleufer Thomas, ‘Jones, Philip (1618?–1674)’, in Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 30, p. 153 (supposed to be by Cornelius Janssen);

Anon., ‘Publications and Proceedings of Archaeological Societies’, in The Antiquary, London 1895, vol. 31, no. 61, p. 349;

H.M. Vaughan, ‘Oliver Cromwell in South Wales 1648–9’, in The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1937, p. 48, reproduced (as Cornelius Janssen?);

J. Steegman, ‘Portraits from Welsh Country Houses’, in Country Life, vol. 103, no. 2682, 1948, p. 1183;

A. Oswald, ‘Fonmon Castle, Glamorgan III: The Home of Sir Seymour Boothby, Bt., and Lady Boothby’, in Country Life, vol. 105, no. 2724, 1949, p. 734;

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, An inventory of the ancient monuments in Glamorgan, Llandudno 2000, vol. iii, part 1b, p. 150;

J. Steegman, A Survey of Portraits in Welsh Houses, vol. 2, Cardiff 1962, p. 93, no. 8, reproduced pl. 15c (as anonymous, c. 1655);

P. Lord, The Tradition: A New History of Welsh Art 1400–1990, Cardian 2016, p. 63, no. 62, reproduced in colour (as unknown painter). 

London, South Kensington Museum, The First Special Exhibition of National Portraits Ending with the Reign of James the Second, April 1866, no. 783;

Cardiff, National Museum of Wales, Portraits from Welsh Houses, June–July 1948, no. 24 (as unknown artist);

Cardiff, National Museum of Wales, Welsh National Portraits, 16 March–14 April 1957, no. 14 (as anonymous).

Colonel Philip Jones (1618–1674) was one of the single most significant figures in Wales during the Cromwellian period. Born into a family of aspiring farmers and landowners, a suitable marriage brought him closer into puritan circles which would substantially influence his life and career. Despite initially refusing to take an active part in the English Civil Wars, his attitude changed in the mid-1640s, where his abilities in administration were rewarded with the offices of Governor and Steward of Swansea. His store grew quickly during the decade, as he proved himself to be an able organiser of local armies which came with the rank of Colonel in 1646.

By 1650 Jones played a leading role in the military politics of Southern Wales and the New Model Army. This was further helped by his close association with Oliver Cromwell. This portrait, presumably completed during the mid-1650s, shows Jones at the height of his powers whilst serving Cromwell. After Cromwell's dissolution of Parliament in 1653, Jones was made a Councilor of State, a role he embraced with great energy and activity. Later appointing Comptroller of Cromwell's household, Jones's proximity and importance to the Lord Protector was recognised by him taking responsibility for his funeral in 1658. It seems almost certain that the portrait of Oliver Cromwell by Robert Walker offered here was commissioned by Colonel Jones himself (see Lot 45).

The Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660 did not end Jones' career, as he was treated leniently and later even appointed Sheriff of Glamorgan. This is the first time that this painting has been offered for sale.