Alexander Pope

Sitterback to top

• Alexander Pope (1688-1744), Poet. Sitter associated with 44 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Charles Jervas (1675-1739), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 40 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Charles Jervas's portrait, in which the poet strikes his favourite meditative pose, was painted just as Pope had begun his translation of Homer's Iliad. The unusual composition may refer to the conflict between fame, represented by the bust of Homer in the top-left corner, and private friendship, symbolised by the figure of the woman who may be a portrait of Pope's close friend Martha Blount.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Eger, Elizabeth; Peltz, Lucy, Brilliant Women: 18th Century Bluestockings, 2008 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 13 March to 15 June 2008), p. 69
• Kerslake, John, Early Georgian Portraits, 1977, p. 212
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 500

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Beningbrough Hall
• Chairs
• Double portraits