Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield

Sitterback to top

• Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (1804-1881), Prime Minister and novelist. Sitter associated with 97 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Bt (1829-1896), Painter and President of the Royal Academy. Artist associated with 39 portraits, Sitter associated with 69 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait of the great Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli is the quintessence of Victorian portraiture: concentrating on the essentials of facial expression, dignifying the sitter and indicating his contribution to politics and national life. Originally Lord Ronald Gower had wanted Disraeli to sit to Millais, so that the portrait could be acquired by the National Portrait Gallery. In 1881, Millais wrote to Disraeli pleading, 'I know that sitting to an Artist is attended with great inconvenience to Every public man, but I do hope you will allow me to make a portrait of your Lordship.' Disraeli replied, 'I am a very bad sitter, but will not easily forego my chance of being known to posterity by your illustrious pencil.' Millais was prevented from receiving more than three sittings, however, by Disraeli's fatal illness. Nevertheless, the portrait was finished and, at the request of the Queen, sent in late to the Royal Academy where it was displayed on a special screen.

Related worksback to top

• NPG 925: Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (source portrait)
• NPG D21543: Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield (source portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Victorian Portraits Resource Pack, p. 35
• Funnell, Peter, Victorian Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1996, p. 35
• Funnell, Peter; Warner, Malcolm, Millais: Portraits, 1999 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 19 February to 6 June 1999), p. 151
• Hulme, Graham; Buchanan, Brian; Powell, Kenneth, The National Portrait Gallery: An Architectural History, 2000, p. 16
• Parris, Matthew, Heroes and Villains: Scarfe at the National Portrait Gallery, 2003 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 30 September 2003 to 4 April 2004), p. 25
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 148
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 148
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 40

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Politicians tour
• Victorian tour