Sir Charles Bell

This portraitback to top

John Stevens exhibited RA, RSA etc. 1815-64 but, apart from the Third National Portrait Exhibition in 1868, there is no record of his exhibiting this particular portrait. The sitter is aged about 50, painted therefore 1820-5 during the years he was reading papers before the Royal Society, published in 1830 as The Nervous System of the Human Body. The first paper, following the terms of Lord Bridgwater's will, dealt with 'the power and construction of the human hand'; both Sir Charles's hands are emphasised in this portrait. Lady Bell had originally presented a portrait of her late husband by James Tannock, submitted to the NPG by Sir Charles Eastlake PRA 21 March 1859. Later she acquired the Stevens portrait (presumably from her sister-in-law Mrs Hamilton Bell) which she considered superior, and in 1876 offered this, at the Trustees' discretion, as a substitute for the Tannock. Lady Bell died before a decision was reached but the Executors confirmed her wish and the Trustees chose the Stevens at their next meeting, 9 February 1877.

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length standing in dark green suit, brown gown with blue lining, buff trousers, gold spectacles in right hand, left hand on book; grey hair, hazel eyes, red curtain background.

Provenanceback to top

Family possession and given in 1876 by Sir Charles's widow.

Exhibitionsback to top

Third Exhibition of National Portraits, South Kensington, 1868 (236) lent by Mrs Hamilton Bell.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Walker, Regency Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, 1985, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for Sir Charles Bell