Portrait Group (traditionally identified as Sir Theodore Janssen and sons)

Theodore Janssen is represented along with his five sons: William, Robert, Abraham, Henry and Stephen. This painting purposely shows Janssen and his family in prosperous times.
Janssen was a hugely successful financier, amassing a large personal fortune and co-founding the Bank of England. He was founder of the new East India Company and became the director of both the Bank of England and the South Sea Company, founded to restructure government debt and restore public credit through trade with South America. England became gripped by a speculation mania, with large numbers of people investing. When the Company collapsed, in what was known as the South Sea Bubble of 1720, many faced financial ruin. There was huge public outcry, resulting in Janssen’s disgrace. Although losing most of his fortune, he was allowed to keep £50,000. He was disqualified from sitting in Parliament or holding public office.