Richard Cobden

Sitterback to top

• Richard Cobden (1804-1865), Politician and manufacturer. Sitter in 46 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Giuseppe Fagnani (1819-1873). Artist associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Richard Cobden, the radical statesman and advocate of free trade, worked as a clerk and commercial traveller before establishing a successful calico printing business in 1828. He helped found Anti-Corn Law League in 1838, campaigned tirelessly for the repeal of the Corn Laws, and was closely associated with John Bright in his free trade principles and in his unpopular opposition to the Crimean War. The original version of the portrait was painted in Paris where Cobden was engaged in successfully negotiating a commercial treaty with France. The treaty was signed by Barouche and Rouher for the French and by Lord Cowley and Cobden for the English; the signatures of the last three can be seen in the portrait.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 131

Subject/Themeback to top

• On display at the Gallery