Sir Ralph Bankes, MP (?1631-1677)

Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680). Oil painting on canvas, Sir Ralph Bankes, MP (?1631-1677) by Sir Peter Lely (Soest 1618 – London 1680), circa 1655. A three-quarter-length portrait, seated, turned to left, head facing, his left arm leaning on the plinth of a large pillar, right, natural red hair, curled and worn shoulder length, gold/russet loose robe worn over white shirt with full sleeves appearing from sleeves of robe, also draped on plinth beneath his left arm is a reddish velvet cloak or drape; landscape to left seen past trees with stormy clouds above. Sir Ralph Bankes (?1631-1677) was the second and eldest surviving son of Chief Justice Sir John Bankes (1589-1644) and Mary Hawtrey (1598-1661) only daughter of Ralph Hawtrey of Ruislip; married in 1661, Mary Brune (before 1646-1711) daughter and sole heir of John Brune of Athelhampton, Dorset; knighted 1660. His collection of pictures was the foundation for that at Kingston Lacy. Kingston Lacy Estate, Dorset (Accredited Museum)