Circle of Robert Walker (b.1599 - d.1658), 'Portrait of a Member of the Potts family, possibly Francis Potts (b.1620 - d.1642)', oil on canvas, 1640s/1650s, English, for sale est. 6,000 - 8,000 GBP in Sothebys Old Masters & the Pohl Stroher Collection sale, April 2020.
Inscribed with the age of the sitter centre left: Ætatis suæ xviii; and inscribed centre right: utraque Minerva Ducit.
Formerly in the collection of the Potts family of Mannington Hall, Norfolk (when bought by Horace Walpole); then Dunston Hall, Norfolk; then Bryan Hall, Banningham, Norfolk, sold via Bonhams ('The Contents of the Old Rectory', 22nd of March 2004, lot 328).
An old handwritten label affixed to the reverse of this canvas identifies the sitter as Francis Potts (c. 1620 - c. 1642), who died in Naples. The costume and style of the painting, however, suggest that it should be dated to the late 1640s or 1650s, after Francis’ death. He had two brothers, John (b. 1618) and Charles Potts (b.1621), with whom this portrait might possibly be associated. The inscription translates as 'Minerva guides both ways' (in arts and in war). (x)
