A few years ago this portrait of a "William Harvey, Mayor of Norwich" came up for sale (Sotheby's Olympia, 21 January 2004).  It is not dated but from the style and clothes it dates from 1650-1730 but more likely 1695-1715.  It had been relined and the inscription had been rewritten onto the new backing.  Unfortunately no further provenance was recorded.  I checked with the County Record office in Norwich who confirmed that there had never been a mayor of Norwich by the name of William Harvey.  A number of other Harvey relatives did in fact become mayors of Norwich so it would appear that there has been a mix up somewhere.  Existing portraits of some of these other Harvey relatives do show a family resemblance and as the portrait appears to date from around this time there is a possibility that it is our William Harvey.

Where is this portrait of William Harvey now?  If you know any more please contact me jj@jjhc.info

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