Charles West Cope 1811-1890

Royal Academy, 1872, no. 368

Charles Henry Cope , Reminiscences of Charles West Cope, R.A., 1891, pp. 273-274

In 1871 or early 1872 Mr Cresingham of Carlaston commissioned Cope to paint a scene depicting Oliver Cromwell receiving a deputation seeking aid for the Swiss Protestants. This commission resulted in the present work which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1872, with the title Oliver Cromwell Receiving a Deputation of Ministers and Elders, Accompanied by the Dutch Ambassador. "They Petitioned the Lord Protector, etc" The following letter to Cope from Me E A Bond at the British Museum, gives interesting details of the subject;

My Dear Cope,

I Find the following passage in a letter of Nieuport, the Dutch Ambassador in England, to the States General: "Some ministers and elders of sundry churches in London have been with the Lord Protector, and have petitioned, with many moving arguments, that his Highness would take to heart the mournful condition of the poor reformed inhabitants of some valleys of Piedmont; for which he has thanked them, and declared that he was shocked in the highest degree at the inhuman cruelties which are practiced there." The Ambassador himself had an interview with Cromwell, and urged his interference. Cromwell answered that "he was moved at it to his very soul, and that he was ready to venture his all for the protection of the Protestant religion, as well here as abroad; and that he most readily with your High Mightinesses in this cause would swim or perish, trusting that the Almighty God would revenge the same," etc… This subject seems a really good one, and if I might be so awfully impudent as to suggest a ridiculous idea of my own , I would propose, as you designed, that Milton should be present, and that Cromwell might be made to look with an appealing expression to him – or listening, if you please – as if they had already exchanged sentiments on the subject, or that Milton was speaking in favour.

Ever Yours,

E.A. BOND.

You will find all you want historically in Thurloe's State Papers, Vol iii.’ (pp. 273-274)

The seated figure beside Cromwell is his great friend and trusted Secretary of State John Thurloe (1616-1668). Thurloe was one of the most important and influential figures in Cromwell’s parliament; it was Thurloe who signed the letters ordering the sheriffs to proclaim Cromwell. Thurloe was M.P. for Ely from 1656, and for the University of Cambridge in Cromwell’s parliament of December 1658. The second gentleman to Cromwell’s left is his Latin secretary, the poet John Milton (1608-1674) who was described as the most educated man of his time. The features of Cromwell, Milton and Thurloe are all known from contemporary portraits and it is likely that Cope looked to historic portraits to base the figures of his dramatic reconstruction.

The first sketch for this picture is reproduced in Reminiscences of Charles West Cope, R.A. by his son Charles Henry Cope .