Son of the Earl of Clarendon, Laurence Hyde became a powerful and important member of the Court of Charles II.

 

This image does him full justice, dressed in the full ceremonial robes of the Order of the Garter he attained in 1685 wearing the Garter star and collar with the jewel of St. George. The meltingly beautiful textures of silk, velvet and feathers are matched by a strong sense of composition and feeling for the figure, whose casual pose gives character to a standard formal portrait. Its subtle detail includes the jewel of St George and the glove in Rochester's right hand, with its dangling cuff balancing the composition.

This picture is intended to show off the grandeur of the man through his commanding pose, the expensive clothes he wears, the symbols which show his social standing, and fineness of the portrait.

 

Created 1st Earl of Rochester in 1682, he became Lord High Treasurer of England in 1685 but was dismissed by James II in 1687 because of his strong Protestant beliefs. His luck changed when the Glorious Revolution in 1688 brought William and Mary to the throne, and he became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, as which he continued under Queen Anne.