National Portrait Gallery - Person

Matthew Boulton (1728-1809), Industrialist and entrepreneur

Sitter in 14 portraits
Birmingham industrialist and entrepreneur, called 'the first manufacturer in England' by Josiah Wedgwood. He was the founder of the Soho Works in Birmingham in 1762, known for its high quality ornamental objects. In 1775 Boulton entered into partnership with the Scottish engineer James Watt who invented the steam engine; he supplied machinery for the new Mint on Tower Hill in 1805. Boulton also designed for the commercial art market, devising ormolu (gilt brass) mounts for the English potter Josiah Wedgwood's decorative wares. Both men belonged to the Lunar Society, a group of prominent Midlands men who developed ideas and techniques in science, manufacturing and transport.

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Matthew Boulton

by Unknown artist
oil on canvas, circa 1770
On display in Room 13 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1532

Matthew Boulton

attributed to Anne Jessop, Lady Beechey, after Sir William Beechey
watercolour and bodycolour on ivory, circa 1799 (circa 1799)
NPG 1595

Matthew Boulton

by Sarah Brown
paste medallion, 1807
NPG 1451

Men of Science Living in 1807-8

by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075

Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a

Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b

Matthew Boulton

by and published by Samuel William Reynolds, after Carl Frederik von Breda
mezzotint, published 1 March 1796
NPG D771

Matthew Boulton

by and published by Samuel William Reynolds, after Carl Frederik von Breda
mezzotint, published 1 March 1796
NPG D772

Matthew Boulton

by William Sharp, after Sir William Beechey
line engraving, published 1801
NPG D32006

Matthew Boulton

by and published by William Sharp, after Sir William Beechey
line engraving, published 1801
NPG D13736

Matthew Boulton

by Anthony Cardon, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 1812
NPG D32007

Matthew Boulton

by Anthony Cardon, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 1812
NPG D32008

Matthew Boulton

by Anthony Cardon, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 7 February 1812 (1799)
NPG D18721