General John Lambert, Commander Of The New Model Army (1619–1684) Mid-19Th Centu

Oil Portrait Painting Of General John Lambert, Commander of the New Model Army (1619–1684)
Mid-19th Century English School, after Robert Walker
Composition and Technique
A commanding mid-19th century (c.1840) oil on panel portrait of General John Lambert, presented in bust-length within a painted oval cartouche. He wears a polished steel cuirass enriched with gilt trim and a finely painted lace cravat. The portrait closely follows Robert Walker’s 17th-century prototype and reflects the Victorian fascination with the heroic figures of the English Civil War. Strong contrasts and crisp highlights—characteristic of revivalist portraiture—emphasize Lambert’s martial gravitas.
The Sitter
General John Lambert (1619–1684) was among the most brilliant commanders of the New Model Army. He distinguished himself at Marston Moor (1644) and played a decisive role at Preston (1648). More than a soldier, Lambert was also a gifted statesman, drafting the Instrument of Government (1653)—the first written constitution in British history.
Though offered supreme power, he refused, remaining loyal to the Commonwealth. After Cromwell’s death, Lambert sought to preserve the republic, but with the Restoration he was imprisoned for the last 24 years of his life, dying on Guernsey in 1684. Even his adversaries admired him, and history remembers Lambert as a man of integrity, intellect, and tragic downfall.
The Artist
The composition derives from Robert Walker (d. 1658), Cromwell’s favored portraitist and principal artistic chronicler of the Commonwealth. Walker’s portraits of Cromwell, Fairfax, Ireton, and Lambert shaped the visual memory of the republican period. This Victorian interpretation reflects the 19th-century revival of Civil War subjects, when collectors—often inspired by writers such as Thomas Carlyle—sought faithful recreations of Walker’s sitters.
Signature
Unsigned, as is typical of English School works after Old Master prototypes.
Frame
Reframed to museum standards in a premium Larson-Juhl “Essentials” gilt moulding (Ref. 793246000), fitted with AR70 museum-grade anti-reflective glass for clarity and UV protection. The original frame is preserved and may be included; it bears the inscription “Harrods 79”, likely referencing an earlier exhibition, framing, or sale through Harrods Fine Art Department, London.
Dimensions
Frame: 27 cm high × 24.5 cm wide × 1.5 cm deep
Provenance
Acquired from a long-established northern auction house (founded in the 1840s). Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd, with a museum exhibition label verso.
Why Collect This Work
Rare subject: Portraits of Lambert are significantly less common than those of Cromwell or Fairfax.
Historic lineage: After Robert Walker, Cromwell’s court portraitist.
Collector-grade presentation: Newly reframed with Larson-Juhl moulding and AR70 glazing.
Cultural significance: A vivid reminder of England’s only republican experiment.
Victorian grandeur: Reflecting 19th-century interest in Civil War heroes.
Condition
Oil on panel in stable condition. The panel shows no warping or splits. The paint layer is secure, with craquelure and varnish wear consistent with age. Colours remain strong, with a clean metallic sheen across the armour and natural flesh tones. Minor retouching to the background. Professionally reframed with Larson-Juhl gilt moulding and AR70 museum glass to ensure long-term preservation.
Shipping
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