FDA-P.74-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.74-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Robert Snow
Description
Half-length painted portrait of a young man
Comments
The son of Robert Snow of the bankers Snow, Strahan and Paul of Temple Bar (his mother was Margaret Strahan), he won the Browne Medal whilst at Cambridge. Snow followed his father into the bank but he was also a writer. His publications include accounts of his travels (Journal of a Steam voyage down the Danube to Constantinople in 1842 and Memorials of aTour on the Continent in 1845) and a volume of poems. He also contributed extensively to the Monthly Notes of the Royal Society of Arts.
Sir Martin Archer Shee, P.R.A. (1769-1850)
An Irish painter who trained at the Academy from 1790 and subsequently pursued a successful career as a portrait painter. Royal patronage ensured the popularity of his 'tip toe' style and he succeeded as President of the Royal Academy against the favourite, Wilkie. He produced eight Leaver's Portraits between 1791 and 1822.
In this room, we are surrounded by Leaving Portraits from the early 19th century. Eton Leaving Portraits are portraits of (Old) Etonians, painted to mark their time at the College. There are some 280 in the College Collections. The earliest is attributed to Thomas Hudson (1701–1779) and was painted in 1754. The most recent are by photographic artist Tereza Červeňová and were made in 2024.
The tradition evolved from the earlier custom of boys presenting Leaving Money to the Head Master as they left the College. Edward Barnard was the first Head Master to request a Leaving Portrait in addition to the money. Barnard continued to honour one or two boys with the privilege of presenting their portrait each year. The works were given directly to Head Masters, who later presented their collections to the College. Some Head Masters became Provosts and so displays of portraits moved into the Provost’s Lodge.
This is the collection of portraits of boys requested by Dr Keate (after whom Keate House and Keate’s Lane are named).
Sir Martin Archer Shee, P.R.A. (1769-1850)
An Irish painter who trained at the Academy from 1790 and subsequently pursued a successful career as a portrait painter. Royal patronage ensured the popularity of his 'tip toe' style and he succeeded as President of the Royal Academy against the favourite, Wilkie. He produced eight Leaver's Portraits between 1791 and 1822.
In this room, we are surrounded by Leaving Portraits from the early 19th century. Eton Leaving Portraits are portraits of (Old) Etonians, painted to mark their time at the College. There are some 280 in the College Collections. The earliest is attributed to Thomas Hudson (1701–1779) and was painted in 1754. The most recent are by photographic artist Tereza Červeňová and were made in 2024.
The tradition evolved from the earlier custom of boys presenting Leaving Money to the Head Master as they left the College. Edward Barnard was the first Head Master to request a Leaving Portrait in addition to the money. Barnard continued to honour one or two boys with the privilege of presenting their portrait each year. The works were given directly to Head Masters, who later presented their collections to the College. Some Head Masters became Provosts and so displays of portraits moved into the Provost’s Lodge.
This is the collection of portraits of boys requested by Dr Keate (after whom Keate House and Keate’s Lane are named).
Description
Content (person)
Snow, Robert, 1806 - 1854 (Sitter)
Content (note)
Half-length, in a red velvet jacket, blue cloak and a white stock
Dimensions
height (sight size): 740mm
width (sight size): 610mm
width (sight size): 610mm
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt frame
Production
Person
Date
1825
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter or his family; by whom presented to the Head Master at Eton College
Exhibited: London, Royal Academy, 1825, catalogue no.284; Dulwich, catalogue no.30
Exhibited: London, Royal Academy, 1825, catalogue no.284; Dulwich, catalogue no.30
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.40, no.118, Plate XXXII)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.43)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.43)
