Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), bust-length, in armour

This unfinished portrait of Oliver Cromwell presents him in his battle armour, symbolising his role in the English Civil Wars. Born in 1599, Cromwell was a prominent English soldier and statesman who led the parliamentary forces during the Civil Wars and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1653 to 1658.

As a key general for the parliamentary side against King Charles I, Cromwell played a crucial role in the downfall of the Stuart monarchy. His leadership as Lord Protector restored England’s status as a leading European power, a position it had lost after Queen Elizabeth I’s death.

Cromwell’s military successes both domestically and internationally fostered a Puritan mindset that influenced political and social life in Great Britain and North America for many years. As a descendant of Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister, on his father’s side, Cromwell’s family gained a lot of land from their relationship to the monarchy and while it was noted that he was not opposed to Charles I he created an atmosphere of distrust in his army of parliament and the crown to introduce a more democratic constitution that led to the two English Civil Wars.

In Parliament, Cromwell was known for his fervent religious views and advocacy for radical reforms, which eventually led to his marginalisation by opposition leaders during the early months of the Long Parliament.

Before convening his first Protectorate Parliament on September 3, 1654, Cromwell and his Council of State enacted over 80 ordinances that reflected a progressive domestic agenda. His goals included legal reform, establishing a Puritan Church with tolerance for other denominations, promoting education, and decentralising administrative functions.

Robert Walker

Robert Walker, born in 1599, was a prominent English portrait painter known for his significant contributions during the Commonwealth period. His artistic style was heavily influenced by Van Dyck, yet he developed a distinctive approach that set his work apart. Walker became the chief painter for the parliamentary party, capturing the likenesses of many key figures of the time. His most notable works include portraits of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector, which have become iconic representations of Cromwell’s appearance. These portraits, often depicting Cromwell in armour, were widely reproduced and are considered some of the truest representations of him.

Robert Walker’s portraits of Oliver Cromwell often depicted him without the warts and facial hair that were known to be part of his appearance. This choice might have been influenced by the artistic conventions of the time, which often aimed to present subjects in a more idealised manner. Cromwell himself is famously quoted as having said to another artist, Sir Peter Lely, “paint me as I am, warts and all,” indicating his preference for a realistic portrayal. However, Walker’s portraits seem to have taken some artistic liberties, perhaps to emphasise Cromwell’s status.

Museums

National Portrait Gallery
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
British Museum
Chepstow Museum, Wales
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
The Courtauld Gallery
The National Trust Collection
The Royal Collection