What Lies Beneath Illiam Dhone Portrait?

It is arguably the most famous and certainly one of the most important paintings in the MNH collection and now the portrait of Illiam Dhone is going to reveal its secrets.

Painted at a time when the Isle of Man was owned and ruled by the Earl of Derby and his family, the grand portrait is the only known likeness of this important Manx figure, who was shot for treason at Hango Hill in 1663.

The painting will be transported to Harrogate this week, where it will be studied under infrared light with the help of art analysts Tager Stonor Richardson in the studios of Francis J Downing Ltd, an accredited studio specialising in cleaning and conserving paintings.

Infrared imaging is a non-destructive technique used to detect hidden details under the upper layers of paintings, such as added paint, underdrawings, and hidden signatures, revealing evidence of an artist’s creative processes, alterations, reworking and different types of pigments.

Chris Weeks, Collections Care and Conservation Manager at Manx National Heritage said: ‘The infrared study will help us see through paint layers that are impenetrable to the human eye.  For example, if the artist started work in carbon black on a white ground (known as an underdrawing), the original sketch will be revealed, which would be very exciting.

‘This process will help us learn what has happened to the painting over almost four centuries since it was painted and will provide an accurate insight into its original colours, which are heavily impacted by aging.  We may even answer one of the great mysteries of the portrait: who painted it?’

The cost of transporting the painting has been met by the Steam Packet, as well as members of the public who contributed towards some of the cost of studying the painting.

MD Brian Thompson said: ‘We are delighted to be able to make another contribution to the Isle of Man’s Arts Heritage. The Company is a proud supporter of the Island’s arts scene, as demonstrated in our recent commissioning and installation of various artwork from 15 local artists on board Manxman. We pride ourselves on our community support and being able to play our part in restoring a National Treasure, Illiam Dhone is an honour. We cannot wait to hear the results of this exciting research and look forward to seeing the painting on display once again.’

Who Was Illiam Dhone?

We know that not everyone will know (this is why history in schools should teach more about the island) so in the words of MNH:

‘A controversial figure in Manx history, he was executed at Hango Hill in 1663 on a charge of treason brought by Charles, 8th Earl of Derby.

‘Many believe that this was an unjust charge, especially as the Act of Indemnity introduced by King Charles II in England was designed to draw a line under all acts committed during the recent English Civil War. There was dispute as to whether the Act applied in the Isle of Man, and when Illiam Dhone returned to the island after the War, the Earl had him arrested and executed.

‘The Earl and the island’s Deemsters were subsequently summoned to London and vilified by the King; the Deemsters being held in an English prison for a year.

‘On the island, Illiam Dhone became a martyr and folk-hero, a symbol of the island’s cherished freedoms and traditional rights. His occasional spells in prison on charges of misappropriating Manx taxes long forgotten.’

• We will have on Dhone as the anniversary of his death is commemorated on January 2 at Hango Hill.