FDA-P.98-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-P.98-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
James Henry Robert Kerr
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
Comments
Information from unpublished Margaret Carpenter catalogue by Richard J Smith, 1995.
Oil on canvas. 20x15". Attribution very unlikely. Cust p.44. Sitters Book: 1831 Duke of Roxburgh £15.-.-. [M31005] 1831 Duke of Roxburgh £16.10.-. [M31011] A small panel portrait 12x10" was painted by Margaret Carpenter for Coleridge's collection (q.v.), to which these payments refer; it is now in the collection at Floors Castle. The Eton picture was apparently cut down from 50x39", but stylistically it is quite wrong for Margaret Carpenter.
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).
Oil on canvas. 20x15". Attribution very unlikely. Cust p.44. Sitters Book: 1831 Duke of Roxburgh £15.-.-. [M31005] 1831 Duke of Roxburgh £16.10.-. [M31011] A small panel portrait 12x10" was painted by Margaret Carpenter for Coleridge's collection (q.v.), to which these payments refer; it is now in the collection at Floors Castle. The Eton picture was apparently cut down from 50x39", but stylistically it is quite wrong for Margaret Carpenter.
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)
Content (note)
Head and shoulders, in a black coat and yellow waistcoat
Dimensions
height (sight size): 500mm
width (sight size): 390mm
width (sight size): 390mm
Materials & techniques note
Oil on canvas
Physical description
Plain gilt frame
Production
Person
Carpenter, Margaret Sarah, 1793 - 1872 (Previously attributed to)
Date
c.1830
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.44, no.134)
