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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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The Capel Family, c. 1640

Cornelius Johnson

This grand family portrait shows Arthur Capel, 1st Baron Capel (1604–1649) and Elizabeth, Lady Capel (d. 1661) with five of their nine children – from left, Arthur, later Earl of Essex (1631–1683), Henry, later Baron Capel of Tewkesbury (1638–1696), Charles (d. 1657), Elizabeth, later Countess of Carnarvon (1633–1678), and Mary, later Duchess of Beaufort (1630–1715). At the time, they were enjoying a comfortable life as one of the richest families in England. The gardens that form the backdrop are perhaps those of Little Hadham, the Capels’ home.

This peaceful scene belies the turbulence that was shortly to overtake the family. Initially opposed to King Charles I’s policies, Lord Capel became a Royalist during the English Civil War (1642–51) in reaction to the violence of Parliamentarian views. He was captured and executed shortly after the execution of King Charles I in 1649.

National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 1970
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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