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Jan Christian Smuts

(1870-1950), Prime Minister of South Africa, Field Marshal and writer on evolution

20th Century Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 41 portraits
Born in Cape Colony, South Africa; graduated from the University of the Cape of Good Hope in 1891; then read law at Christ's College, Cambridge; successfully passed the honours examination of the inns of court by the middle of 1895; returned to South Africa and became involved in politics; appointed state attorney in 1898; played a critical role in the events that led to the outbreak of the South African War; participated in the negotiations that concluded the Boer War in 1902 and created the Union of South Africa in 1910; joined the British War Cabinet after attending the Imperial Conference of 1917; on his return to South Africa, Smuts became prime minister until 1924 and then again from 1939 to 1948.

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Jan Christian Smuts, by John Singer Sargent - NPG 4187

Jan Christian Smuts

by John Singer Sargent
oil on canvas, circa 1919-1922
NPG 4187

General Officers of World War I, by John Singer Sargent - NPG 1954

General Officers of World War I

by John Singer Sargent
oil on canvas, 1922
On display in Room 25 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1954

Jan Christian Smuts, by William Rothenstein - NPG 4645

Jan Christian Smuts

by William Rothenstein
sanguine and white chalk, 1923
NPG 4645

Jan Christian Smuts, by Yousuf Karsh - NPG P490(72)

Jan Christian Smuts

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1943
NPG P490(72)

Jan Christian Smuts, by Moses Kottler - NPG 4004

Jan Christian Smuts

by Moses Kottler
bronze bust, 1949
NPG 4004

'Defenders of Our Empire', published by James Valentine & Sons Ltd, after  Frank Arthur Swaine, and  Langfier Ltd, and  Alexander Bassano, and  Sport & General Press Agency Ltd, and  James Russell & Sons - NPG x197673

'Defenders of Our Empire'

published by James Valentine & Sons Ltd, after Frank Arthur Swaine, and Langfier Ltd, and Alexander Bassano, and Sport & General Press Agency Ltd, and James Russell & Sons
bromide postcard print, 1911 or after
NPG x197673

'The Imperial War Conference', possibly by Lafayette, for  Topical Press - NPG x137204

'The Imperial War Conference'

possibly by Lafayette, for Topical Press
vintage print, March-April 1917
NPG x137204

Jan Christian Smuts, by Elliott & Fry - NPG x82123

Jan Christian Smuts

by Elliott & Fry
half-plate copy negative, 1942 (1917)
NPG x82123

The Imperial War Cabinet, by Vandyk - NPG x32125

The Imperial War Cabinet

by Vandyk
10 x 12 inch glass negative, 25 June 1918
NPG x32125

The Imperial War Cabinet, by Vandyk - NPG x32126

The Imperial War Cabinet

by Vandyk
10 x 12 inch glass negative, 25 June 1918
NPG x32126

The Imperial War Cabinet, by Vandyk - NPG x32127

The Imperial War Cabinet

by Vandyk
10 x 12 inch glass negative, 25 June 1918
NPG x32127

The Imperial War Cabinet, by Vandyk - NPG x32124

The Imperial War Cabinet

by Vandyk
10 x 12 inch glass negative, 25 June 1918
NPG x32124

The Imperial War Cabinet, by Vandyk - NPG x130051

The Imperial War Cabinet

by Vandyk
10 x 12 inch glass negative, 25 June 1918
NPG x130051

Jan Christian Smuts, copy by Bassano Ltd - NPG x16774

Jan Christian Smuts

copy by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 15 November 1923
NPG x16774

Jan Christian Smuts, after Francis Dodd - NPG D41792

Jan Christian Smuts

after Francis Dodd
four-colour halftone, (11 May 1917)
NPG D41792

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