12 OF 13

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath

12 of 13 portraits on display on Floor 2: Getting the Picture at Beningbrough Hall

by Sir Joshua Reynolds
oil on canvas, 1761
61 in. x 58 in. (1549 mm x 1473 mm)
Purchased, 1872
Primary Collection
NPG 337

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Sitterback to top

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath (1684-1764), Statesman. Sitter in 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), Painter and first President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 1413 portraits, Sitter associated with 38 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait was commissioned for Pulteney's devoted friend, Elizabeth Montagu. During the painting of the portrait, Pulteney wrote, 'I find that none of these great Painters finish any of their Pictures themselves.' Pulteney also thought the portrait had a 'sickly look', and he was offended to learn that Reynolds employed a 'drapery' painter for the costumes and background.