Henry Purcell
- Artist: John Closterman
- Date: circa 1695
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 29 in. x 24 in. (737 mm x 610 mm) oval
- Portrays: Henry Purcell
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This portrait of Henry Purcell (1659‑1695) shows him in a formal pose, set against a dark background that highlights his face and hands. The canvas is oval, about 29 by 24 inches, and the work was painted with oils sometime around 1695, probably by someone from John Closterman’s studio. Purcell stands in a simple suit, a common fashion for English gentlemen of the period; his gaze looks directly ahead, giving the viewer a sense of presence.
John Closterman—active 1660‑1711—was known for producing portrait works that captured likeness and character. In this case he followed the conventions of late‑17th‑century English portraiture to give Purcell an enduring look.
See it in person
Henry Purcell is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
