John Wilton Portrait, Servants' Hall, Chirk Castle
Date: 21st June, 2024
Photograph Reference: P92494
Camera: Sony A77
ISO: 640
Exposure Time: 1/10sec
Exposure Time: 1/10sec
Aperture: F5.6
Focal Length: 30mm
Modifications: RAW modified
John Wilton (c. 1691-1751) was a disabled man taken onto the staff of the castle by Sir Richard Myddelton as youth, remaining until his death. This portrait shows him at around 38 years old, although quite why a portrait of this level was commissioned of a servant remains unknown. "Decus Culinae" is Latin for "Pride of the Kitchen".
The portrait was restored in 2023; this work featuring in the second season of the BBC's programme "Secrets of the National Trust". Unfortunately, the lighting conditions at the time I took the photograph resulted in a lot of glare, obscuring some of the details.