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Robert Louis Stevenson

3 of 33 portraits of Robert Louis Stevenson

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Robert Louis Stevenson

by James Notman
platinum print, 1880s
6 5/8 in. x 4 in. (168 mm x 102 mm)
Purchased, 1983
Primary Collection
NPG P224

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • James Notman (1849-1932), Photographer; brother of William Notman. Artist or producer associated with 4 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1880back to top

Current affairs

The Liberals defeat the Conservatives, and Gladstone becomes Prime Minister for the second time, taking over from Disraeli, who retires from politics.
The MP for Northampton and atheist Charles Bradlaugh, refuses to swear on the Bible and so forfeits his right to take his seat. Despite having the support of Gladstone and J.S Mill, it takes six years before he can take his seat, after which he pushes through a new Oaths Act (1888).

Art and science

Thomas Huxley delivers his address 'Science and Culture' at the opening of Josiah Mason's science college in Birmingham (published the following year). Huxley argues that the study of modern literature, combined with knowledge of science, should be promoted in education above classical literature, echoing the claim made by the poet and critic Matthew Arnold. Huxley, an early advocate of 'Darwinism', did much to popularise evolutionary theory.

International

Buenos Aires finally becomes the permanent capital of Argentina, following sixty years of political debates around the issue. The city was federalised, politically separated from the Buenos Aires Province, and placed under direct control of the national government.
Despite allegations of vote buying, Cecil Rhodes is elected member of parliament for Barkly West in the Cape Colony, marking the start of his political career in South Africa.

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Ann Smith

29 April 2018, 23:33

From http://www.robert-louis-stevenson.org/richard-dury-archive/icon2.htm

"Portraits by W. Notman of New York:

ii) 'Writing portrait': almost full-length, seated, RLS (body facing camera but looking slightly to his l) pen in r hand, learning with forearms on a small table with double glass inkstand, r hand poised to write, l hand steadying sheet of paper; velvet jacket, broad tie, striped trousers; drapery background.
(ii.a) half-length engraving derived from 'the writing portrait' by Samuel Hollyer (1826 - 1919), sold as a separate print and also frontispiece to the edition of Virginibus Puerisque pub. by Putnam (New York, c. 1908). "

The website from which this content was taken also mentions how certain portraits of Robert Louis Stevenson have been commonly mis-attributed to Alice Boughton. (You be the judge.) See the entry marked "1887 28-30 Sept."

Suzanne Evans

09 December 2015, 00:33

Other websites attribute this work to Alice Boughton, not John Notman. I have put my source in the citation but there are many others on the web.