Sir Thomas Hanmer

One of van Dyck's finest male portraits, the sitter, Sir Thomas Hanmer, was the owner of Bettisfield, an estate in Flintshire, Wales. Cup Bearer to King Charles I, Sir Thomas Hanmer was also a talented gardener. He maintained a garden diary, which has since been published in facsimile, and was also responsible for the development of 'Hanmer Agate' tulips. His portrait was acquired by Francis Newport, 1st Earl of Bradford of the first creation and was seen by the celebrated diarist, John Evelyn, who described it as 'one of the finest he [van Dyck] ever painted'. It was brought to Weston Park in 1735 and has hung at the House ever since