The original portrait by Thomas Lawrence, on which this print is based, was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1828. It is now unclear whether that work is the c.1825 version now in a private collection or another version painted between 1824 and 1826 for George IV. A third version, painted by Lawrence’s studio assistants, of c.1828 is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Sir Thomas Lawrence was born in Bristol; the son of a supervisor of excise. In 1773 the family moved to Wiltshire to run a coaching inn but financial difficulties led them to move again to Bath, where Lawrence first worked as a portraitist. He may have had lessons from William Hoare, before enrolling at the Royal Academy schools in 1787. Aged 20, he received a royal commission for portraits of Queen Charlotte (1789-90) and Princess Amelia (1789). At 23 he replaced Reynolds as Painter-in-Ordinary and at 25, became a Royal Academician. Despite such success, he never escaped crippling debt. In 1815 he was knighted and commissioned to paint the Waterloo Chamber series of portraits. He replaced West as President of the Royal Academy in 1820.

People

Scott, John, 1st Earl of Eldon

Places

Subjects

male portrait, 19th century costume, coat, cravat, judge, lawyer, Earl, Solicitor General, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Attorney General, Member of Parliament, Lord Chancellor

Materials & Techniques

engraving

Artist

George Thomas Doo (1800 - 1886)
Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 - 1830)

Title

John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838) Lord Chancellor

Date

1827

Medium

Engraving

Acquisition

Purchased from F B Daniell, February 1971

GAC number

9076