FDA-P.182-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.182-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Rt Hon. William Ewart Gladstone
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Comments
Millais first painted Gladstone in 1879, when his only role in parliament was as the Member for Greenwich. This second portrait was painted partly from sittings, but also using a reference photograph, taken by Rupert Potter.
This work was commissioned by Gladstone’s former college, Christ Church, Oxford, and the sitter is shown wearing his Oxford doctoral robes, in which he would be buried. As Millais worked on the portrait in 1884, he expressed his satisfaction with its progress: “I have Gladstone better than the first time… I never did so fine a portrait.”
However, that year Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery visited the artist’s studio to check progress on Millais' portrait of his daughter. Roseberry was so taken with the incomplete picture of Gladstone that he offered £1,000 for it. When Gladstone heard of the arrangement, he proposed sitting again for the portrait for Christ Church and so two portraits of Gladstone in almost identical poses were painted, both from sittings. The first, purchased by Rosebery, was presented to Eton College by his son in 1931. The second remains at Christ Church, Oxford.
The 5th Earl of Rosebery succeeded Gladstone as Prime Minister in 1894.
This work was lent to the 1888-89 'Centennial International Exhibition' in Melbourne by the then owner, the Earl of Rosebery. The catalogue entry for it included the following note:
'In connection with all Sir John Everett Millais’ portraits, see the note to No. 9, Mr. Gladstone’s face and head are painted with consummate power. Every line of the strongly-marked countenance is strikingly accentuated ; the modelling and relief are perfect. The magnetic light in the eye is a singular and unique characteristic, which can be realized only by those who have seen Mr. Gladstone in the flesh, or who now see this portrait — which is a complete equivalent for his bodily presence.'
[Source: Lake, J., 'Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, Official Guide to the Picture Galleries and Catalogue of Fine Arts', published 1889, p.27, catalogue number 102]
For information on the Christ Church Oxford version of this portrait (signed with monogram and dated 1885, upper right), see M. Warner, ‘Sir John Everett Millais’ exhibition catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, 1999, cat. no. 46.
This work was commissioned by Gladstone’s former college, Christ Church, Oxford, and the sitter is shown wearing his Oxford doctoral robes, in which he would be buried. As Millais worked on the portrait in 1884, he expressed his satisfaction with its progress: “I have Gladstone better than the first time… I never did so fine a portrait.”
However, that year Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery visited the artist’s studio to check progress on Millais' portrait of his daughter. Roseberry was so taken with the incomplete picture of Gladstone that he offered £1,000 for it. When Gladstone heard of the arrangement, he proposed sitting again for the portrait for Christ Church and so two portraits of Gladstone in almost identical poses were painted, both from sittings. The first, purchased by Rosebery, was presented to Eton College by his son in 1931. The second remains at Christ Church, Oxford.
The 5th Earl of Rosebery succeeded Gladstone as Prime Minister in 1894.
This work was lent to the 1888-89 'Centennial International Exhibition' in Melbourne by the then owner, the Earl of Rosebery. The catalogue entry for it included the following note:
'In connection with all Sir John Everett Millais’ portraits, see the note to No. 9, Mr. Gladstone’s face and head are painted with consummate power. Every line of the strongly-marked countenance is strikingly accentuated ; the modelling and relief are perfect. The magnetic light in the eye is a singular and unique characteristic, which can be realized only by those who have seen Mr. Gladstone in the flesh, or who now see this portrait — which is a complete equivalent for his bodily presence.'
[Source: Lake, J., 'Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne, Official Guide to the Picture Galleries and Catalogue of Fine Arts', published 1889, p.27, catalogue number 102]
For information on the Christ Church Oxford version of this portrait (signed with monogram and dated 1885, upper right), see M. Warner, ‘Sir John Everett Millais’ exhibition catalogue, National Portrait Gallery, 1999, cat. no. 46.
Description
Content (person)
Content (note)
Three-quarter- length, in red academic robes, seated in a chair
Dimensions
height (sight size): 1200mm
width (sight size): 875mm
height (frame): 1542mm
width (frame): 1195mm
width (sight size): 875mm
height (frame): 1542mm
width (frame): 1195mm
Inscription
Sitter and artists name painted onto frame
I.D. label on frame with lettering: ''This portrait painted in 1890 by Sir John Millais was placed here in 1931 by the 6th Earl of Rosebery as a memorial of his father'
I.D. label on frame with lettering: ''This portrait painted in 1890 by Sir John Millais was placed here in 1931 by the 6th Earl of Rosebery as a memorial of his father'
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt wood frame
Production
Person
Millais, John Everett, 1829 - 1896 (Artist)
Date
1884
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Presented to Eton College by (Albert Edward) Harry Meyer Archibald Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery (1882-1974), as a memorial to his father, in 1931
Exhibited: 'Centennial International Exhibition', Melbourne, 1888 to 1889, catalogue number 102, lent by the Earl of Rosebery; Royal Academy, London, and Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, 1967; 'New Faces: Unexhibited Portraits from Eton's Boarding Houses', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 27 April to 23 September 2019
Exhibited: 'Centennial International Exhibition', Melbourne, 1888 to 1889, catalogue number 102, lent by the Earl of Rosebery; Royal Academy, London, and Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, 1967; 'New Faces: Unexhibited Portraits from Eton's Boarding Houses', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 27 April to 23 September 2019
