Who painted Philip Herbert (1584–1650)?

Philip Herbert (1584–1650) was painted by Unknown in 1700.

Where can I see Philip Herbert (1584–1650)?

Philip Herbert (1584–1650) is held by National Library of Wales.

What movement is Philip Herbert (1584–1650)?

Philip Herbert (1584–1650) is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Philip Herbert (1584–1650)

Unknown , 1700

Philip Herbert (1584–1650) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. The oil portrait presents Philip Herbert, the fourth Earl of Pembroke, rendered in a restrained seventeenth‑century manner.

About this work

The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume, adds depth to the painting.

This portrait painting depicts a man with a mustache and a hat, wearing a dark jacket with a white collar and cuffs. He is holding a book in his left hand.

The man's attire and the style of the painting suggest that it is from the 17th century. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume, adds depth to the painting.

The painting is a representation of Philip Herbert, 4th Earl of Pembroke, and is held at the National Library of Wales. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique.

Overview

The oil portrait presents Philip Herbert, the fourth Earl of Pembroke, rendered in a restrained seventeenth‑century manner. He is shown in a dark coat trimmed with white collar and cuffs, a moustache framing his face, and a hat perched atop his head. In his left hand he holds a book, a conventional attribute indicating learning or status. The work is part of the National Library of Wales collection.

Subject & Meaning

As a member of the English aristocracy, Herbert’s depiction emphasizes both rank and intellect. The inclusion of a book suggests scholarly pursuits or legal authority, while the formal attire and composed pose convey the dignity expected of a peer. The portrait thus functions as a visual record of personal identity and social standing within the early Stuart court.

Technique & Style

The painter employs chiaroscuro, contrasting illuminated areas of the face and hands with a deep, shadowed background to model volume. Subtle gradations of tone give the flesh a three‑dimensional quality, while the crisp rendering of the white collar and cuffs highlights material texture. The overall composition reflects the restrained realism typical of English portraiture in the 1600s.

History & Provenance

Created during the mid‑seventeenth century, the portrait has remained in public custody, eventually entering the holdings of the National Library of Wales. Its survival in a library setting underscores the work’s documentary value as a likeness of a notable political figure rather than solely as a decorative object.