FDA-P.125-2010

FDA-P.125-2010

painting

Francis Hay Rawlins

assigned by cataloguer

Three-quarter-length portrait of a man, seated, in robes

F. H. Rawlins was a Newcastle Scholar at Eton. After studying classics at King’s College, Cambridge, he returned as a master. He became Lower Master in 1905 and was expected to succeed as Head Master. However, he was instead offered the role of Vice Provost in 1916, a setback he accepted graciously. His robust character is also evident in the report that, while playing the field game, he collided with a boy. Both players lay on the ground and Rawlins called out 'Don't move, one of us has broken his leg, let me see which it is', before revealing: ‘It's alright, get up. It's mine.’ This work was presented to Rawlins in 1911 at the Café Royal, London, on behalf of old boys from his house.
Rawlins served as Lower Master at Eton College. This portrait is mention in the Eton College Chronicle, as follows:

'THE RAWLINS MEMORIAL CUP.
To the Editor of the Eton College Chronicle.
Sir,—It is evident from the recent correspondence in your
columns, regarding the above Cup, that some of your readers are
unaware of its existence, and of the circumstances under which it
was given.
The Memorial to the late Vice-Provost, Francis Hay Rawlins,
organized and subscribed for by his former pupils, consists of:
(a) A panel in the Memorial Hall.
(b) A brass plate in the Vice-Provost’s Stall in Chapel.
(c) The portrait of the late Vice-Provost, hanging on the panel,
given by Colonel S. W. H. Rawlins, C.M.G. and Mr. E. C. D. Rawlins.
(d) The Rawlins Memorial Cup.
This last was offered to the Athletic Committee in 1921: an
at their suggestion, was allocated as a House Gymnastic Cup.
In order to give the Athletic Committee of the day the power to
allot it to another object, should they consider it advisable, the
words “ or any form of Athletics ” were engraved on the Cup.
The conditions under which it was to be competed for, method of
scoring, etc., were left to the Athletic Committee to decide.
Yours faithfully,
L. P. IRBY, Lt.-Col.'

[Source: Eton College Chronicle, No. 1909, Thursday, November 13, 1924, p.728]

Rawlins, Francis Hay, 1850 - 1920 (Sitter)

height (sight size): 1135mm
width (sight size): 980mm
height (frame): 1403mm
width (frame): 1255mm

I.D. label on frame

Oil on canvas

Historic, carved gilt wood frame with detail of apple and grape carving on outer edge

Orpen, Sir William, 1878 - 1931 (Artist)

1910

Provenance: Presented to Eton College by Colonel S. W. H. Rawlins, C.M.G. and Mr. E. C. D. Rawlins

Exhibited: 'New Faces: Unexhibited Portraits from Eton's Boarding Houses', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 27 April to 23 September 2019

• Konody, P. G., and S. Dark, Sir William Orpen: Artist and Man, London, 1932 (p.268)