FDA-P.54-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.54-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
George Canning
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Three-quarter-length portrait of a young man, in a brown coat and a white stock, leaning on a table, with books beside him, a red curtain beyond
Comments
This portrait is mentioned in a letter, written by the then new Provost, Dr Goodall, on 19th or 20th December 1809. The letter, to his brother, commences: 'My dear Brother, Since the poor Provost's Death [footnote: This was Dr. Jonathan Davies who had been Provost since 1791.] I have scarely had five Minutes whch I can call my own...'. Goodall later mentions: 'Lords Wellesley and Grenville leave their Portraits, as does Mr. Puller. Mr Canning exchanges his.'
[Source: Etoniana, No. 83, 7 November 1940, p.521]
CANNING'S PORTRAIT
Having lost his position as Foreign Secretary, when the government fell in October 1809, George Canning had more time on his hands. On 8 December he wrote to Head Master Joseph Goodall, requesting the return of a portrait of himself, presumably his Leaving Portrait. His letter suggests that a similar request had already been made to the Provost, Jonathan Davies. However, Davies was now on his death bed. Perhaps embarrassed at the timing of the request, Canning blamed it on his spouse:
'When I inform you that the person who has a fancy for that [portrait] now at Eton is my wife, you will, I am sure, forgive the trouble which I have given you.'
Ultimately, Canning agreed to exchange the portrait and in its place he sent Goodall this painting. It is thought to be an updated autograph copy, based on Hoppner’s earlier portraits of Canning. The surviving records suggest that the portrait Canning removed was a similar work by Hoppner. That portrait is currently unidentified.
[Caption from New Faces exhibition, 2019]
Similar portrait engraved: J. Young, mezzotint, 1808. S. Freeman, stipple, Le Beau Monde, 1808;
ID label on frame
Sitter was at Eton from 1782 to 1789; served as Secretary of State for Foreign affairs 1822; Prime Minister 1827.
[Source: Etoniana, No. 83, 7 November 1940, p.521]
CANNING'S PORTRAIT
Having lost his position as Foreign Secretary, when the government fell in October 1809, George Canning had more time on his hands. On 8 December he wrote to Head Master Joseph Goodall, requesting the return of a portrait of himself, presumably his Leaving Portrait. His letter suggests that a similar request had already been made to the Provost, Jonathan Davies. However, Davies was now on his death bed. Perhaps embarrassed at the timing of the request, Canning blamed it on his spouse:
'When I inform you that the person who has a fancy for that [portrait] now at Eton is my wife, you will, I am sure, forgive the trouble which I have given you.'
Ultimately, Canning agreed to exchange the portrait and in its place he sent Goodall this painting. It is thought to be an updated autograph copy, based on Hoppner’s earlier portraits of Canning. The surviving records suggest that the portrait Canning removed was a similar work by Hoppner. That portrait is currently unidentified.
[Caption from New Faces exhibition, 2019]
Similar portrait engraved: J. Young, mezzotint, 1808. S. Freeman, stipple, Le Beau Monde, 1808;
ID label on frame
Sitter was at Eton from 1782 to 1789; served as Secretary of State for Foreign affairs 1822; Prime Minister 1827.
Description
Content (person)
Canning, George, 1770 - 1827 (Sitter)
Dimensions
height (sight size): 1260mm
width (sight size): 1013mm
height (frame): 1555mm
width (frame): 1300mm
width (sight size): 1013mm
height (frame): 1555mm
width (frame): 1300mm
Inscription
I. D. label on frame
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt wood frame with gilt label
Production
Person
Hoppner, John (R. A.), 1758 - 1810 (Artist)
Date
c.1809
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of George Canning (1770-1827); by whom presented to Joseph Goodall (1760-1840) for the College collection, in 1809, in exchange for the College's Leaving Portrait of the sitter
Exhibited: 'New Faces: Unexhibited Portraits from Eton's Boarding Houses', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 27 April to 23 September 2019
Exhibited: 'New Faces: Unexhibited Portraits from Eton's Boarding Houses', Verey Gallery, Eton College, 27 April to 23 September 2019
References
• Mackay, W., and Roberts, W., John Hoppner, R.A., [A catalogue Raisonne, with sixty-four plates], 1909 (p.41)
