Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey

Sitterback to top

• Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Sitter in 11 portraits, Artist associated with 266 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841), Sculptor. Artist associated with 266 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This informal drawing shows the sculptor, accompanied by his pets, suffering from mumps. Sent to friends, the Crampern family, in place of his customary visit, the letters on the bottles on the mantelpiece spell out the name of his doctor; Merryman. The drawing was made 'in his bachelor days', when Chantrey lived in relative poverty as he struggled for recognition. Chantrey married his cousin Mary Anne in 1809, and her dowry allowed him to set up independently as a sculptor.
On his death, Chantrey bequeathed his fortune to the Royal Academy of Art to buy British paintings and sculpture for the establishment of a 'public national collection of British fine art'. This collection became the foundation of the Tate Gallery.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Gibson, Robin, The Face in the Corner: Animal Portraits from the Collections of the National Portrait Gallery, 1998, p. 51
• Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 85
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 114
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 103

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• From Pencil to Chisel: Sir Francis Chantrey’s Portrait Drawings (2 April 2011 - 20 November 2011)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Fireplaces
• Known interiors
• Pets and animals
• Self-portraits
• Sleeping