Lord George Stuart (1618–1642) grew up in France and inherited the title of Seigneur of Aubigny in 1632. A Royalist, he was described by Lord Clarendon in his History of the Rebellion as ‘a gentleman of great hopes, of a gentle and winning disposition, and of a very clear courage’.
His portrait by Sir Anthony van Dyck may date from 1638, when he secretly married Katherine, daughter of Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk. He is shown here in the guise of an Arcadian shepherd, leaning languidly on a rock in a landscape. The rock is inscribed with the Latin motto ME FIRMIOR AMOR (Love is stronger than I am), which probably refers to his secret marriage. He was killed while leading a troop in the Prince of Wales’ Regiment of Horse at the Battle of Edgehill, one of the earliest major encounters of the English Civil War.
National Portrait Gallery, London
Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund, 1987
© National Portrait Gallery, London
