Cornelius Johnson or Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen (Anglo-Dutch, 1593-1661). Portrait of Sir Edward Walker, Garter Principal King of Arms (British, 1611-1677) - 1649, oil on canvas, apparently unsigned, plaque to frame reading with older attribution label to verso. Bust length painting depicting Sir Edward Walker in a feigned oval cartouche wearing a cambric collar and badge depicting the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Approx. 37.25" x 32.25" (canvas), 29.75" x 24.75" (frame). Note: During the English Civil War, Sir Edward Walker served Charles I in many offices including Clerk Extraordinary of the Privy Council and Secretary for War. Walker was appointed Garter Principal King of Arms in 1645. After the execution of Charles I he followed Charles II into exile also serving as Clerk of his Privy Council at The Hague in 1649. Johnson was appointed "his Majesty's servant in the quality of Picture drawer" in 1632 and he would paint Charles I as well as miniatures of Charles II and James II as children. By 1643 he had fled the Civil War to the Netherlands where he continued to paint locally as well as the court in exile. It is likely that this portrait was painted during Walker's time at the Hague. Works by Johnson are held in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C., National Gallery, London and the British Royal Collection, U.K. Accompanying this lot is a 1938 evaluation by Dr. William Roberts, London, England.

Small loss to upper right; possible patch to background to left of sitter's head; inpainting to nose; minor scattered inpainting (non-distracting); craquelure; hazy green varnish layer present when viewed under ultraviolet light;