Sir George Scharf
1 portrait matching these criteria:
- npg number matching '985'
Sir George Scharf
by Walter William Ouless
oil on canvas, 1885
35 1/2 in. x 27 1/2 in. (902 mm x 699 mm)
Given by a number of friends, 1886
Primary Collection
NPG 985
Sitter
Sir George Scharf (1820-1895), Artist and art historian; first Director of the National Portrait Gallery. Sitter in 60 portraits, Artist associated with 70 portraits.
Artist
Walter William Ouless (1848-1933), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 20 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
This Portrait
Scharf studied art under his father, the draughtsman and lithographer George Scharf, before entering the Royal Academy Schools in 1838. In the 1840s Scharf was twice commissioned as a draughtsman to travel to Asia Minor and, in the late 1840s and early 1850s, established himself as a leading book illustrator. Also a lecturer and an arts administrator, in 1857 Scharf was appointed as the secretary of the National Portrait Gallery. A diligent art historian, he became an authority on portraiture and in 1882 his title was changed to Director. This portrait of Scharf, who was rarely seen without a sketchbook, was made three years later and shows him sketching the artist as he works.
Linked Publications
Hulme, Graham; Buchanan, Brian; Powell, Kenneth, The National Portrait Gallery: An Architectural History, 2000, p. 21
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 551
Subject/Theme
