Portrait in oils sold at Christie's in 1922 as by Mary Beale. It is not Mary Beale nor can it be accepted as depicting Milton. The collar style dates it to 1650 the same date as the Edward Pierce bust cc0008. It shows a young man with reddish hair not agreeing with known Milton portraits. It was cleaned and repaired in Dec 1980.
Mary Beale (née Cradock) (26 March 1633 – 1699) was an English portrait painter. She became one of the most important portrait painters of 17th century England, and has been described as the first professional female English painter.
Date
1655 - 1660
From the collection of J.Seymour Lucas, R.A.; his sale 15th Dec 1922 bought by Cripps Day. Cleaned Dec 1980.
