FDA-P.84-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.84-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
John Evelyn Denison
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Half-length painted portrait of a young man
Comments
Information from unpublished Margaret Carpenter catalogue by Richard J Smith, 1995.
Oil on canvas. 30x25". Attribution unlikely. Cust p.37. Sitters Book: 1825 Mr Denison £26.5.-. [M25011] Although the date is wrong for this payment to represent a Leaving Portrait, John Evelyn Denison was an exact contemporary of, and in the 6th Form with, Edward Coleridge. The Denisons' London home was at 2 Portman Square, and therefore near Margaret Carpenter's circle of clientele. Not seen.
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).
I.D. label on frame
At Eton 1810-17
Afterwards Speaker of the House of Commons, and Viscount Ossington
Oil on canvas. 30x25". Attribution unlikely. Cust p.37. Sitters Book: 1825 Mr Denison £26.5.-. [M25011] Although the date is wrong for this payment to represent a Leaving Portrait, John Evelyn Denison was an exact contemporary of, and in the 6th Form with, Edward Coleridge. The Denisons' London home was at 2 Portman Square, and therefore near Margaret Carpenter's circle of clientele. Not seen.
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).
I.D. label on frame
At Eton 1810-17
Afterwards Speaker of the House of Commons, and Viscount Ossington
Description
Content (person)
Content (note)
Half-length, in a black coat and a white stock
Dimensions
height (sight size): 745mm
width (sight size): 620mm
width (sight size): 620mm
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Carved gilt frame
Production
Date
c.1817
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Commissioned by the sitter or his family; by whom presented to the Head Master of Eton College
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.37, no.106)
