FDA-P.181-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.181-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Dr Montague Rhodes James
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Three-quarter length painted portrait of a man wearing a red robe and standing before a bookcase, with a book in one hand and the other hand resting on a manuscript upon a desk
Comments
Provost M. R. James is depicted standing at his desk, holding the catalogue of his own writings. James was a medievalist scholar and author. He had previously served as Provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1913–1915). Today, he is perhaps best-known for his ghost stories.
After Gerald Kelly, an Old Etonian artist, was commissioned to paint the Eton Provost, James regularly took the train from Eton to Paddington to sit for Kelly at his London studio-home, sometimes staying for lunch. Kelly had a replica of the bookcase in James’s study built within the studio. The completed work arrived at Eton in time for the Fourth of June celebrations of 1936. Although James appears robust in the portrait, his health was failing and he made only a brief appearance that day, using a wheelchair. James died at Eton one week later. The hatchment bearing his arms, which was hung over the front door after his death, is now on display on the back staircase.
Kelly later served as President of the Royal Academy (1949–54). Following his own death in 1972, the National Portrait Gallery purchased the head-and-shoulders oil study for this portrait from his studio sale.
'The Provost’ s Portrait.— Mr. Gerald Kelly, R.A., is bringing down his portrait of the Provost next Saturday, and it will be on exhibition in the School Hall until the Fourth of June.'
[Source: Eton College Chronicle, No. 2377, Thursday 28 May 1936, p.154]
After Gerald Kelly, an Old Etonian artist, was commissioned to paint the Eton Provost, James regularly took the train from Eton to Paddington to sit for Kelly at his London studio-home, sometimes staying for lunch. Kelly had a replica of the bookcase in James’s study built within the studio. The completed work arrived at Eton in time for the Fourth of June celebrations of 1936. Although James appears robust in the portrait, his health was failing and he made only a brief appearance that day, using a wheelchair. James died at Eton one week later. The hatchment bearing his arms, which was hung over the front door after his death, is now on display on the back staircase.
Kelly later served as President of the Royal Academy (1949–54). Following his own death in 1972, the National Portrait Gallery purchased the head-and-shoulders oil study for this portrait from his studio sale.
'The Provost’ s Portrait.— Mr. Gerald Kelly, R.A., is bringing down his portrait of the Provost next Saturday, and it will be on exhibition in the School Hall until the Fourth of June.'
[Source: Eton College Chronicle, No. 2377, Thursday 28 May 1936, p.154]
Description
Content (person)
James, Montague Rhodes, 1862 - 1936 (Sitter)
Dimensions
height (sight size): 1430mm
width (sight size): 1000mm
height (frame): 1655mm
width (frame): 1235mm
depth (frame): 72mm
width (sight size): 1000mm
height (frame): 1655mm
width (frame): 1235mm
depth (frame): 72mm
Inscription
Signed lower left
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt wood frame
Production
Person
Date
1934-1936
History and association
Object history note
Exhibited: Royal Academy, London, 1937; Royal Academy, London, 1957
