Harold Wilson

Sitterback to top

• (James) Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx (1916-1995), Prime Minister. Sitter in 32 portraits.

Artistback to top

• Ruskin Spear (1911-1990), Painter. Artist of 8 portraits, Sitter in 9 portraits.

This portraitback to top

An MP at twenty-nine, and at forty-eight Britain's youngest Prime Minister since Pitt, Harold Wilson led a series of cabinets through the 1960s and 70s which confirmed Britain's commitment to a welfare state. A gifted speaker and a skilful politician, he is portrayed in Spear's portrait with the air air of hard-won informality that distinguished his public style. The sittings for this portrait took place in Downing Street. Wilson is shown here with his trademark pipe. Spear described Wilson as 'a great actor, using as pipe as an extension of himself'.

Linked publicationsback to top

• Gibson, Robin; Clerk, Honor, 20th Century Portraits in the National Portrait Gallery Collection, 1993, p. 29
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery: An Illustrated Guide, 2000, p. 212
• Saumarez Smith, Charles, The National Portrait Gallery, 1997, p. 212
• Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 667

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Artists and sitters (From 21 April 2007)
• Britain 1960-1990 (From 18 September 2004)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• On display at the Gallery
• Politicians tour
• Smoking