10 OF 10 
Cecil John Rhodes
10 of 10 portraits on display in Room 26 at the National Portrait Gallery
Cecil John Rhodes
by George Frederic Watts
oil on canvas, 1898
33 3/4 in. x 26 3/4 in. (857 mm x 679 mm)
Given by the artist's executors, 1905
Primary Collection
NPG 1407
Click on the links below to find out more:
Sitterback to top
- Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902), Imperialist, statesman in South Africa and mining entrepreneur. Sitter in 19 portraits.
Artistback to top
- George Frederic Watts (1817-1904), Painter and sculptor. Artist associated with 85 portraits, Sitter in 40 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Rhodes wrote to Mrs. Watts while the portrait was being painted, asking her to tell Watts to put in the eyes of the Sphinx looking over the desert into eternity, only in my case for empire of the race that I believe to be the best.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 518
Exhibitions and displays
- Alexander Bassano: Victorian Photographer
Until 10 November - Portraits of G.F. Watts
Until 9 June
Related pages
See this portrait
On display in Room 26 at the National Portrait Gallery
Related shop items
- The Pre-Raphaelite Circle (hardcover)
- Insights: Self-portraits (hardcover)
- A Guide to Victorian & Edwardian Portraits (paperback)
- George Frederic Watts DVD
- Lilian Gish by James Abbe print
- Dame (Alice) Ellen Terry ('Choosing') by George Frederick Watts mini print
- Dame Ellen Terry by George Frederic Watts greetings card
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