FDA-P.21-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.21-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
William Baker
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Half-length portrait of a young man, in a blue coat and waistcoat, holding a book
Comments
'The son of Sir William Baker of Bayfordbury near Hertford. His mother was Mary Tonson, great neice of the celebrated publisher Jacob Tonson, Secretary of the Kit Kat Club. He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn in 1761 and was called to the bar in 1775. He served as M.P. for several constituencies. His family preserved a strong Eton connection. Baker contributed some verses to the 1795 'Musae Etonenses'.
In 1772 Baker inherited from Richard Tonson the series of portraits of the members of the Kit Kat Club. They were hung at Bayfordbury, which he remodelled in the years 1809-1812, partly to accomodate the portraits. These are now in the National Portrait Gallery.'
At Eton 1754-62
Afterwards M. P. and Sheriff of London
In 1772 Baker inherited from Richard Tonson the series of portraits of the members of the Kit Kat Club. They were hung at Bayfordbury, which he remodelled in the years 1809-1812, partly to accomodate the portraits. These are now in the National Portrait Gallery.'
At Eton 1754-62
Afterwards M. P. and Sheriff of London
Description
Content (person)
Baker, William, 1743 - 1824 (Sitter)
Dimensions
height (sight size): 900mm
width (sight size): 690mm
height (frame): 1113mm
width (frame): 911mm
depth (frame): 69mm
width (sight size): 690mm
height (frame): 1113mm
width (frame): 911mm
depth (frame): 69mm
Inscription
I.D. label on frame
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Production
Person
Reynolds, Joshua (Sir), 1723 - 1792 (Artist)
Date
1762
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter or his family; by whom presented to the Head Master at Eton College in c.1762
Exhibited: 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 6
Exhibited: 'Leaving Portraits from Eton College', Dulwich Picture Gallery, 18 July to 20 October 1991, catalogue number 6
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.14, no.4, Plate II)
• Graves, A. & Cronin, W. V., A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1909 (p.42)
• Waterhouse, E.K., Reynolds, 1941 (p.50)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.29)
• Graves, A. & Cronin, W. V., A History of the Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1909 (p.42)
• Waterhouse, E.K., Reynolds, 1941 (p.50)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.29)
