20 OF 26

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield

20 of 26 portraits on display in Room 10 at the National Portrait Gallery

by Louis François Roubiliac
marble bust, 1745
22 3/4 in. (578 mm) high
Purchased with help from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Art Fund and the Pilgrim Trust, 1985
Primary Collection
NPG 5829

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Sitterback to top

Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773), Statesman. Sitter associated with 15 portraits.

Artistback to top

Louis François Roubiliac (1702-1762), Sculptor. Artist associated with 13 portraits, Sitter in 4 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This bust of Lord Chesterfield is signed and dated 1745, ad vivum (from the life). Sittings must have taken place after Chesterfield's return from his diplomatic mission to The Hague (May 1745) and before his departure to take up office as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (July 1745). The bust is boldly classicising, lacking even the drapery around the shoulders customary in most contemporary busts and in this it resembles busts from antiquity.