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Benjamin Robert Haydon

3 of 10 portraits of Benjamin Robert Haydon

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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Benjamin Robert Haydon

by Unknown artist
plaster cast of life-mask, circa 1820
9 7/8 in. x 6 3/4 in. (250 mm x 170 mm) overall
Given by Maurice Buxton Forman, 1936
Primary Collection
NPG 2802

On display in Room 32 on Floor 1 at the National Portrait Gallery

Sitterback to top

  • Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846), History painter and diarist. Sitter in 10 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 34 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The well-known practice of taking a mask, be it from life or death, enjoyed a revival in the early nineteenth century and found especial encouragement at the hands of the history painter, Benjamin Robert Haydon. He had life-masks of his friends Wordsworth and Keats made, apparently to help him with his great canvas, Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, and also had his own taken. His diary records the process of taking such a mask of the critic Francis Jeffrey on 5 May 1821: By this time Jeffrey's coat was off, his chin towelled, the plaister ready, his face greased, and the Ladies looking with a mixture of interest & quiz that was funny. Mrs Jeffrey began to look anxious, for casting a face has something the air of cutting off a man's head . . . The plaister was now ready, a spoonful taken up, Jeffrey ordered to keep his mouth shut & his nerve firm, & the Visitors to be quiet. Sidney [Smith] was dying with laughter, kept trying to make Jeffrey laugh, but it would not do . . . Unfortunately the moulder had nearly blocked up Jeffrey's nostrils and breathing became painful; his nerves gave way & the mould was obliged to be jirked off & broken. Despite their reputation as seemingly perfect images, life-masks are notoriously liable to distortion.

Related worksback to top

  • NPG 2172: Benjamin Robert Haydon (based on same portrait)

Linked publicationsback to top

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1820back to top

Current affairs

George III dies at Windsor Castle on 29 January and George IV ascends to the throne.
'Trial of Queen Caroline' in the House of Lords; Parliament drops the Bill which was to legitimise a divorce between Caroline and George IV.
Cato Street Conspiracy to assassinate the cabinet discovered. Arthur Thistlewood and fellow conspirators are hanged.

Art and science

Sir Thomas Lawrence becomes President of the Royal Academy.
Astronomical Society is set up by John Herschel and Charles Babbage.
First iron steamship is launched.

International

Actor, Edmund Kean goes on a successful tour of America after making his name at the Drury Lane Theatre.
Revolutions begin in Spain, Portugal and Naples.
The famous ancient Greek statue of the Venus de Milo is rediscovered on the Island of Melos and purchased by the Louvre in Paris.

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