Lot 16: Portrait of Robert Claydon (1695-1758), half-length, seated, in clerical robes, holding a book, a draped column behind

Attributed to Charles Philips (1708-1748)
Portrait of Robert Claydon (1695-1758), half-length, seated, in clerical robes, holding a book, a draped column behind
with identifying inscription 'Robert Clayton of Fullwood in the County of Lancr: Heir of Thoms: Calyton Esqr: of the Old Crook and Fullwood. Now the Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Killalla in the Kingdom of Ireland. He married Kath: daur: to the Rt Honble: Nehemiah Donnelan Esq Late Ld. chief Baron of his Majesty's Exchequer in Ireland.' (upper right and lower right)
oil on canvas
50 x 40½ in. (127 x 102.8 cm.)
in a Kent frame

Robert Clayton was born in Dublin in 1695, the eldest of eight children of Dr. Robert Clayton, minister of St. Michael's Dublin and Dean of Kildare. After attending Westminster School, he entered Trinity College completeing his Doctorate of Divinity in 1730. Clayton was to become Bishop of Killala and Achonry in 1729-1730 and by 1745 to Clogher. His work 'Essay on Spirit' caused great controversy within Ireland as he called for the removal of the Nicene and Athanasian creeds from the Church of Ireland's liturgy, so much so that the Duke of Dorset refused to appoint Clayton to the Archbishopric of Tuam when it became vacant. Clayton died suddenly on 26th February 1758 before proceedings begun to silence him over his beliefs. He is buried at the old churchyard, Donnybrook, co. Dublin.