Sir James Beethom Whitehead (1858-1928) diplomat

John Henry Frederick Bacon (1865/8 - 1914)

Oil on canvas

1907

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Image of Sir James Beethom Whitehead (1858-1928) diplomat
  • About the work
    Location
    Country: Serbia
    City: Belgrade
    Place: British Embassy

    Sir James Beethom Whitehead entered the diplomatic service in 1881. He served at Petrograd, Rio de Janeiro and Berlin, and was First Secretary at Tokyo, Brussels and Constantinople. He was Councillor of the Embassy in Berlin from 1903 to 1906 and His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Belgrade between 1906 and 1910. This portrait was painted in 1907, while Sir James held his position in Belgrade. The decoration was added later, in 1915, by Dorofield Hardy. His home was Efford Park in Lymington, Hampshire, which was purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1953.

  • About the artist
    John Henry Frederick Bacon, portraitist, genre painter and illustrator, was born in London and studied at Westminster Art School. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1889 and was elected an Associate Member of the Academy in 1903. Bacon illustrated several books including ‘Celtic Myth and Legend’ (1912) and also contributed illustrations to journals and magazines. His best known paintings include ‘The Wedding Morning’ (1892, Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight) and ‘The City of London Imperial Volunteers Return to London’ (1902, Guildhall Art Gallery, London). Works by Bacon can also be found in the collections of the Tate, the British Museum and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.
  • Explore
    People
    Sir James Beethom Whitehead (1858 - 1928)
    Places
    Subjects
    bust (as Subject), male portrait, moustache, man, 20th century costume, diplomatic service uniform, glove, feather (fashion accessory), medal, Order of St. Michael & St. George, diplomat, sword, curtain, chair, table (as Subject)
    Materials & Techniques
    canvas, oil, oil painting
  • Details
    Artist
    John Henry Frederick Bacon (1865/8 - 1914)
    Title
    Sir James Beethom Whitehead (1858-1928) diplomat
    Date
    1907
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    height: 143.00 cm, width: 112.50 cm
    Acquisition
    Transferred from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, March 1999
    Inscription
    bl: John F. Bacon / 07 ; verso tr: Decoration painted by / Dorofield Hardy 1915
    Provenance
    Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (Efford House); probably presented to MAFF by one of the sitter's daughters; transferred to GAC March 1999
    GAC number
    17380