The Art News website reported the other week that what is believed to be the earliest self-Portrait by British painter, William Dobson, has been acquired in a major and significant joint venture by the National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Gallery. Not only has this secured the portrait for national collections but it recognises its importance as both a likeness and as a work by an often ignore but very important British artist.
Dobson, so to speak, picked up Van Dyck’s brushes when he died in 1641. At this time the country was sliding, seemingly inexorably, into civil war, and Dobson travelled with the Royalists to Oxford. It was there that most of his important commissions were painted at a studio in the High Street of the commanders and officers of the King’s army. I suspect that the initial period of the court being in Oxford were rather fun for those who established themselves in the city, but then it gradually turned to times of dearth and death, to hunger and fear as the Royalist cause floundered. Dobson himself died, in poverty and aged only 35 very soon after the surrender of Oxford in 1646.
Not only did he die tragically young but he is nowhere as famous as his works merit. Hopefully his self portrait will help to bring him the appreciation his work undoubtedly deserves
The report about the acquisition of the portrait can be seen at Museums Jointly Acquire a $3.2 Million Painting by 'Britain's Rembrandt.' Who Was He?
Wikipedia has a life of Dobson with a good selection of his portrait works at William Dobson
