William Wilberforce
1 portrait matching these criteria:
- npg number matching '3'
William Wilberforce
by Sir Thomas Lawrence
oil on canvas, 1828
38 in. x 43 in. (965 mm x 1092 mm)
Given by executors of Sir Robert Harry Inglis, 2nd Bt, 1857
Primary Collection
NPG 3
Sitter
William Wilberforce (1759-1833), Philanthropist and reformer. Sitter associated with 26 portraits.
Artist
Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830), Portrait painter, collector and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 510 portraits, Sitter in 14 portraits.
This Portrait
Wilberforce generally took a conservative position on matters of domestic security, free trade and the constitution. However, he was fiercely independent and would side with opposition politicians like Brougham, Petty-Fitzmaurice or Romilly to achieve his idealistic goals. Wilberforce was well-liked: Lawrence's unfinished portrait was said to capture 'the intellectual power and winning sweetness of the veteran statesman'.
Linked Publications
Sound Guide
The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 116
Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 13
Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, London, 2002, p. 139
Levey, Michael, Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1979 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 9 November 1979 - 16 March 1980)
Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August - 23 October 1994), p. 108
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: an illustrated guide, 2000, p. 116
Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 116
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 661
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 554
Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantic Icons, 1999, p. 47
Subjects & Themes
