Details

cc00020

Joshua Oldfield D.D. 1656-1729

Joshua Oldfield was born 1656 in Carsington, Derbyshire. Taught by his father. He was said to have studied at Lincoln, Oxford and Christ's - though he is not found in the books of either college - but not to have graduated because of a dislike of subscription. Received Presbyterian ordination at Mansfield. Was pastor of congregations at Oxford 1691, Coventry 1694, London 1699, where he also had an "academy"; he settled this first at Southwark, then in Hauxton Square where it had high repute. Nevertheless in trouble with the authorities for preaching without a licence. Intimate with Locke. D.D. Edinburgh 1709. Died in London 1729. Unlikely to be a portrait of Oldfield due to date of costume (1650). May be a portrait of a painter, perhaps a self portrait since he stands before a canvas scarcely appropriate for a dissenting divine.

Joshua Oldfield was born 1656 Carsington, Derbyshire. Taught by his father. Said to have studied at Lincoln, Oxford and Christ's - though he is not found in the books of either college - but not to have graduated because of a dislike of subscription. Received Presbyterian ordination at Mansfield. Was pastor of congregations at Oxford 1691, Coventry 1694, London 1699, where he also had an "academy"; he settled this first at Southwark, then in Hauxton Square where it had high repute. Nevertheless in trouble with the authorities for preaching without a licence. Intimate with Locke. D.D. Edinburgh 1709. Died in London 1729. Unlikely to be a portrait of Oldfield due to date of costume (1650). May be a portrait of a painter, perhaps a self portrait since he stands before a canvas scarcely appropriate for a dissenting divine. Lent to Kettle's Yard 2019 for exhibition to try and determine who the subject is. There is a valuation note from Sotheby's 17/1/2019 for £12,000 in file "Portrait notes Room 4.13 Shelf 2. Documentation about the cleaning of the portrait in file on portraits in cabinet 4.

From collection of Col.E.A.Bulwer, sold (anon) Christie's 25th November 1911 by Legatt; Cleaned and restored by Ivor Jones of 19 Eldon Rd, Victoria Rd London W8F 5PT in 1973 at a cost of £30.

17th century