George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824)
Richard Westall, RA (Reepham 1765 - London 1836)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1813
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1245 x 1041 mm (49 x 41 in)
Order this imageCollection
Hughenden, Buckinghamshire
NT 428981
Caption
This is one of several portraits by Westall of Byron whose epic poem, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage Westall had been commissioned to illustrate in 1813. The 16th-century-style costume with sword and furred cloak may see Byron here assuming the role of his own fictitious hero, Harold. Benjamin Disraeli, who bought this portrait, was a great admirer of Byron and based the protagonist of one of his novels on the life of the romantic poet.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824) by Richard Westall, RA (Hertford 1765 - London 1836), 1813. A half-length portrait, left profile. In dark blue velvet jacket, seated. Chair covered by heavy cape with broad fur collar. Hilt of sword visible. After the publication of 'Childe Harold'.
Provenance
Purchased by Disraeli; given to the National Trust with Hughenden Manor by the Disraelian Society, 1947. Correspondence with Henry Graves & Co. held at the Bodleian Library confirm that Disraeli bought the painting for £126 in 1875. A letter from Henry Graves to Disraeli on the 11th August 1875 mentions that, '...the late Reverend W Harness of All Saints Knightsbridge states in his presence that he was with Lord Byron at the the time he gave a sitting to Mr Westall for this portrait.' In 'My Reminiscences' by Lord Ronald Leveson Gower published in 1883, Gower recounts a conversation he had with Benjamin Disraeli during a visit to Hughenden Manor, 'By the landing hangs a fine but idealised profile of Byron- painted by Westall -a superbly handsome face- it is a portrait of which Lord Beaconsfield is proud. "I got it," he said, "from the Harness family."'
Credit line
Hughenden Manor, The Disraeli Collection (National Trust)
Makers and roles
Richard Westall, RA (Reepham 1765 - London 1836), artist