Richard Goodricke of Ribston, Yorkshire

WALL LABEL: Richard Goodricke of Ribston, Yorkshire, c.1578

This work was painted when the sitter was about eighteen years old and was, perhaps, commissioned to celebrate his marriage in the same year. On his proper right pinky finger, Goodricke wears a poorly fitting signet ring, which could be a betrothal ring.

While the painting is undated, the comet included in the top right corner has allowed us to more closely date the work to after 1578. The Great Comet was clearly seen across the skies from November 1577 to January 1578 and, following its appearance, was depicted in many works of art.

Tansy Curtin, Curator of International Art Pre-1980

This impressive portrait of a confident young man dressed in great style recalls the sinuous contrapposto stance of ancient Greco-Roman statues such as Apollo. The painting, which imparts a sense of grandeur and importance, includes a family coat of arms to reinforce the prestige of the subject’s heritage. In the upper right corner above the Latin inscription, which means ‘never downwards’, is a blazing comet, referring to the spectacular Great Comet, visible over Europe between November 1577 and January 1578.

Born in the Netherlands, Cornelis Ketel trained in his home country, as well as in Paris and Fontainebleau. He lived and worked in London between 1573 and 1581, where he painted the portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, among others. His earlier portraits in Britain revealed the influence of the solid realism of Hans Holbein the Younger, who had died in London in 1543. His later English portraits, which appear freer in style, may not have had general appeal and perhaps lowered his prospects for a long-term stay in England.

Tony Magnusson, Curator of European Art, 2016–18