Robert Bloomfield

Inscriptionback to top

Signed in blue lower right: HB, and inscribed on back of card: Bloomfield/the Poet/by Bone after/Cosway.

This portraitback to top

There is no mention of this miniature in the standard lists of works by either Cosway or Bone and the only evidence for its origin with Cosway is the inscription, possibly by Falcke himself, on the back of the card mount. The Farmer's Boy appeared in 1800 but this romanticised miniature shows a more youthful face than in Drummond's portrait published 31 October 1800 which is probably a more realistic account of the half-starved work-worn visage one might expect. Possibly it could have been painted in the late 90s when the poet was just beginning to become known.

Physical descriptionback to top

Head and shoulders to right in greenish-blue coat with black collar, white neckcloth and cravat, brown hair worn low on forehead, pale blue eyes, fresh complexion; pale creamy background.

Provenanceback to top

Isaac Falcke who sold it to the NPG 1912.

Exhibitionsback to top

SKM 1865 (2636) lent by Mr Isaac Falcke (label from back in registered packet in NPG archive).


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 Robert Bloomfield

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