FDA-P.96-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.96-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
William Charles Cotton
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Description
Half-length painted portrait of a young man
Comments
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).
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)
Cotton, William Charles, 1813 - 1879 (Sitter)
Content (note)
Half-length, in a black coat and a grey waistcoat, holding an open book
Dimensions
height (sight size): 745mm
width (sight size): 617mm
width (sight size): 617mm
Inscription
Inscribed 'Margaret Carpenter 1831'
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Elaborate carved gilt Lawrence frame
Production
Person
Date
1831
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: Royal Academy London, 1956; Tate, catalogue number 28; Dulwich, catalogue number 36
Exhibited: Royal Academy London, 1956; Tate, catalogue number 28; Dulwich, catalogue number 36
References
• Cust, L., Eton College Portraits, 1910 (p.44, no.135)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.47)
• McConnell, ed., Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (p.95)
• Dulwich Picture Gallery, Leaving Portraits from Eton College, exhibition catalogue 1991 (p.47)
• McConnell, ed., Treasures of Eton, London, 1976 (p.95)
