Study for 'Patrons and Lovers of Art'

Sittersback to top

• George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837), Patron of art. Sitter in 9 portraits.
• Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Bt (1788-1850), Prime Minister. Sitter associated with 174 portraits.
• Sir David Wilkie (1785-1841), Painter. Sitter in 21 portraits, Artist associated with 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Pieter Christoffel Wonder (1780-1852), Painter. Artist of 4 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This is a preliminary study for a painting of an imaginary gallery populated by the leading art collectors and patrons of the day. A more finished study for the same painting hangs alongside.
Seated is George Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1857) who is best known for his association with Turner at Petworth House in Sussex. He was a significant patron of contemporary artists and a founder of the British Institution in 1805. Standing to the left in profile is the MP Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850), then Home Secretary, who was an important art patron, particularly of Lawrence. Standing with his arms folded is David Wilkie (1785-1841), the only artist in the imaginary gallery. He was a friend of Wonder and the leading genre painter of the period.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 117
• Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 368
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 708
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 617

Portrait setback to top

• Four studies for 'Patrons and Lovers of Art' (NPG 792): paintings by Pieter Christoffel Wonder, circa 1826-30

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Group portraits
• On display at the Gallery