Benjamin Robert Haydon

Sitterback to top

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

Artistback to top

• Georgiana Margaretta Zornlin (1800-1881). Artist of 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is an appropriately idiosyncratic portrait of Benjamin Robert Haydon, a highly opinionated and arrogant artist with a misplaced belief in his own abilities, now better remembered for his diaries and for his friendship with Keats and Wordsworth than he is for his sprawling canvases. His portrait was painted by Georgiana Margaretta Zornlin, when she was Haydon's pupil. She recalled working under his 'especial superintendence' with Haydon even providing and mixing the colours himself.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Audio Guide
• Curtis, Penelope; Funnell, Peter; Kalinsky, Nicola, Return to Life: A New Look at the Portrait Bust, 2000 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 7 February to 30 May 2001), p. 45
• Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 38
• Holmes, Richard; Crane, David; Woof, Robert; Hebron, Stephen, Romantics and Revolutionaries: Regency portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, 2002, p. 41
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 114
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 290
• Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 239

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Eyeglasses and spectacles
• On display at the Gallery
• Portraits with Archive documents