Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban
1 portrait of Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban
by Henry Bone, after Unknown artist
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, before 1815
15 3/8 in. x 9 7/8 in. (392 mm x 252 mm)
Acquired from Sir George Scharf, 1890
Reference Collection
NPG D17100
Sitterback to top
- Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561-1626), Philosopher and Lord Chancellor. Sitter associated with 63 portraits.
Artistsback to top
- Henry Bone (1755-1834), Enamel painter. Artist or producer associated with 677 portraits, Sitter in 6 portraits.
- Unknown artist, Artist. Artist or producer associated with 6578 portraits.
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1815back to top
Current affairs
John and James Leigh Hunt are released from prison after a two year sentence for slandering the Prince of Wales in their outspoken, radical periodical the Examiner.Corn Laws are introduced to protect against the collapse in prices which would inevitably follow peace with France, prompting riots in London.
Art and science
Humphry Davy invents the miners' safety lamp though its reception is clouded by William Clanny and George Stephenson who present rival models in the same year.British Institution arranges first in innovative series of Old Master exhibitions
provoking virulent attack on its patrons for neglecting contemporary art.
International
Napoleon returns to France from exile in Elba and resumes power until his abdication on 22 June; a period known as the 'Hundred Days'.Battle of Waterloo concludes the Anglo-French struggle that had lasted more than a century. Peace of Vienna establishes Britain's global political, economic and imperial dominance which lasts for the next hundred years.
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Eric Roberts
22 October 2022, 08:54
At the bottom of the drawing it says: "The Lord Chancellor Bacon after the original Vansomer in the Collection of Lord Verulam" followed by the artist's initials. This implies that Henry Bone visited Gorhambury House and made this preparatory sketch of the full-length portrait by Paul Van Somer.