Robert Lowe, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke

Sitterback to top

• Robert Lowe, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke (1811-1892), Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sitter in 26 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Carlo Pellegrini (1839-1889), 'Ape'; caricaturist. Artist associated with 143 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is a unique terracotta statuette by the Italian caricaturist, Carlo Pellegrini. In 1871, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lowe proposed a tax of one half-penny on a box of matches. London matchmakers took to the streets and he was forced to withdraw the measure. He is shown standing on a matchbox, incised with the slogan which he coined 'Ex luce lucellum': 'out of light a little gain'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• I-Spy National Portrait Gallery, 2010, p. 43
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 562

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Sculptures