Posted on: 3 February 2012

William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh
about 1633-4 by Anthony van Dyck

William Feilding (about 1582 - 1643), created Earl of Denbigh in 1622, was the brother-in-law of the royal favourite George Villiers (created Duke of Buckingham in 1623), and held positions at court under James I and Charles I. He died from wounds received while fighting for Charles I in the Civil War.

From 1631-33 he visited Persia and India; the picture was probably painted soon after his return, and in commemoration of his journey. The Earl wears a silk Hindu or Indian jacket and pyjamas, and is shown hunting with an oriental servant, who points out a parrot in a palm tree.

Source: National Gallery, London


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Thanks to Nick Balmer for suggesting this painting.

What is fascinating about this painting is that it must be one of the first paintings undertaken in England showing an Indian. Had Feilding brought back a servant? Feildings costume is obviously modelled on Indian clothes that he had presumably had made whilst he was in India. I wonder what became of the boy? They must quite probably be the first pyjamas seen in Britain.