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Ralph Bernal

(1783-1854), Art collector and politician; MP for Lincoln, Rochester and Weymouth & Melcombe Regis

Early Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 2 portraits
Bernal was born into a Sephardic Jewish family although he was not brought up in the Jewish faith. In 1810 Bernal was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn, however, after inheriting three large plantations in Jamaica he moved into politics. The wealth generated from these estates helped Bernal spend the phenomenal amount of £66,000 contesting elections from 1815 to 1852. After he stepped away from politics he became president of the British Archaeological Society and was well known as a collector of glass, plate, ceramics, and miniatures.

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The House of Commons, 1833, by Sir George Hayter - NPG 54

The House of Commons, 1833

by Sir George Hayter
oil on canvas, 1833-1843
On display in Room 12 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 54

Caught Napping, by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by  Alfred Ducôte, published by  Thomas McLean - NPG D41114

Caught Napping

by John ('HB') Doyle, printed by Alfred Ducôte, published by Thomas McLean
lithograph, published 8 February 1832
NPG D41114

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