Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend (1674–1738), was an English Whig statesman. He directed British foreign policy for more than a decade in close collaboration with his brother-in-law, Prime Minister Robert Walpole. Often known as "Turnip Townshend" because of his strong interest in farming turnips and his role in the British Agricultural Revolution, he was married twice and had nine sons, one of whom died in infancy, and three daughters.
This picture is an oil-on-canvas portrait of Townshend, depicted in the robes and insignia of the Order of the Garter with a full-bottomed wig. It is attributed to Irish artist Charles Jervas, having been painted around 1724, and is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London.Painting credit: Charles Jervas (attributed)