Arthur Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells

John Payne

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a portrait of a man depicted from the waist up, seated and facing slightly to his right. He has a long, pointed beard and a mustache, and his facial expression is solemn. The man's hair is covered with a cap that fits closely to his head. He is wearing a buttoned, pleated collar and a robe with a visible inner garment at the neckline. His sleeves are loose-fitting and have cuffs. In his right hand, he holds a small book partially open, resting on his left hand, which has a ring on the little finger. The background is ornately detailed with cherubs in the upper corners holding onto crests, and swirling leaf and fruit motifs around the oval frame in which the portrait is set. There is text within and around the oval frame, as well as a rectangular section below with additional text.