PORTRAIT OF DRAKE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20629, 19 August 1932, Page 16

PORTRAIT OF DRAKE.

—« THREE CENTURIES OF OBSCURITY. IKltOll CLli OWX CORRESPONDENT. LONDON, July 13. At tlic annual meeting of the Society for Nuutical Research held ut the Royal j Naval College. Greenwich, the members and guests, in addition to hearing of the latest developments with regard to the proposed National Maritime Museum, were able to see—exhibited publicly for the first time—a marble bust t>f Nelson and a portrait by Mare Uheerardts the Elder of Sir Francis Drake, identified after more than 300 years by the jewel, still preserved in Devon, which he wore when the portrait was painted. * Referring to the scheme for a National Maritime Museum, the chairman (Admiral Sir George Hope) said that Greenwich was decided upon as the site only after the fullest discussion ; the determining, factor was the coereive force of history and tradition. Our sea history for most people began with the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and interest came to a focus in 1588 round the persons of the Queen, the Lord High Admiral (Howard of Effingham), and the "General at Sea."' Sir Eraneis Drake. When the great Armada was overthrown these three great patriots all decided to have their portraits painted. The Queen sat to Marc Gheerardts the Younger. She had ordered Court mourning for the Earl of Leicester, and she was dressed, therefore, in black, with a black mourning ring on her finger, attached by a black ribbon to her wrist. But there was no reason to set aside her jewel- | lerv, and in this respect she set a fashion which few could hope to follow. This amazing portrait had just arrived in state, as if Elizabeth desired to associate herself with the society's project.

Identified by a Jewel. Tho Lord High Admiral sat to Daniel Mytens, and this remarkable picture had long been the pride of the Painted Hall. Sir Francis Drake engaged the services of Marc Gkcerardts the Elder, and what happened to his portrait from that day to this it would be impossible to say. He made no claim, like the Lord High Admiral in his picture, to have defeated the Invincible Armada. He was content to wear round his neck the jewel presented to him at Greenwich by the Queen after his voyage of circumnavigation. This jewel, happily preserved in Devon, enabled the portrait to be identified when in tho last few months it emerged again into the daylight after and more of obscurity. Drake's portrait -was on view that afternoon for the first time, and it gave at last that authentic likeness which so many had desired. By the kindness of one of their members the portrait of Charles I. by Daniel Mytens had also been returned to the Queen's House.