William Cartwright

William Cartwright (1607-1686) was an actor and bookseller who in 1686 bequeathed his collection of books and pictures to Dulwich College, forming one of the principal sources for the Gallery's collection. Although he spent most of his life in the theatrical world, he is shown here as a confident, satisfied country gentleman, rather than as an actor.

This portrait was probably commissioned by Cartwright shortly after John Greenhill left Lely’s studio, where he had been regarded as one of Lely’s most talented pupils. However, Greenhill unfortunately died before he could fulfil his potential after drunkenly falling into a gutter in Holborn. He died at the house of the artist Parry Walton, whose work can be seen in Gallery I.