William Makepeace Thackeray
(1811-1863), NovelistEarly Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 42 portraits
Artist of 2 portraits
A novelist known for his satirical works, Thackeray studied law and art before taking up writing professionally as a journalist for a variety of publications, including Fraser's Magazine and Punch. His feature, Jeames' Diary, for Punch attracted much attention with its focus on the theme of English snobbery. He achieved more widespread success with Vanity Fair (1847-8), which told the story of social climber Becky Sharp and satirised London's nouveau riche and upper class society. Pendennis (1848-50) and The Newcomes (1855) confirmed his status as a major novelist. Following his unexpected death at the age of fifty-two, an estimated 7,000 people attended his funeral.
by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after James Deville
plaster cast of bust, 1850-1881, based on a work of 1824-1825
NPG 620
by Elkington & Co, after Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after James Deville
electrotype of bust, 1881, based on a work of 1824-1825
NPG 620a
by Daniel Maclise
pencil, circa 1840
NPG 4209
by Unknown photographer
ninth plate daguerreotype in case with lock of hair, 1852-1853
NPG P1996
by Sir Edwin Landseer
pen and ink and wash, 1857
NPG 3925
by Samuel Laurence
oil on canvas, circa 1864, based on a work of 1862
NPG 725
by Joseph Durham
plaster cast of bust, 1864
NPG 495
by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt, after Joseph Durham
terracotta cast of bust, 1878, based on a work of 1864
NPG 495a
by Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm, 1st Bt
plaster cast of statuette, 1864
NPG 1282
by Nevill Northey Burnard
marble bust, circa 1867
NPG 738
by Domenico Brucciani
plaster cast of death-mask (and right hand)
NPG 1501
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink
NPG 6251(61)
by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax30392
by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax17293
by Caldesi, Blanford & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG Ax17294
by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG Ax7513
by Herbert Watkins
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860-1863
NPG x12964
by Unknown photographer
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG x12965
by Caldesi, Blanford & Co
albumen carte-de-visite, early 1860s
NPG x12962
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