William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne

This portraitback to top

Probably painted at the same sitting as the similar sketch of Melbourne by Landseer (oval, head only), painted in 1836 at Woburn Abbey for Lady Holland. This is now in the collection of the Earl Mountbatten, Broadlands, exhibited Landseer Exhibition, RA, 1874 (442), Landseer Exhibition, RA, 1961 (41), and Reine Victoria Roi Leopold l^ier et Leur Temps, Brussels, 1953 (201), reproduced plate XIX. A version after the NPG portrait is owned by the Marquess of Lothian, Melbourne Hall. A so-called sketch of Melbourne by Landseer was sold at Christie's, 13 December 1961 (lot 145), from the collection of Miss Ruth Mitchell.

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, greyish eyes, dark brown hair with greyish streaks. Dressed in a black neck-tie, white shirt and waistcoat, brown coat, grey trousers. Resting hand on brown covered table, with white papers and a red despatch box(?). Background colour various tones of brown and grey.

Provenanceback to top

Landseer Sale, Christie's, 9 May 1874 (lot 247); Earl of Rosebery, purchased at the Rosebery Sale, Christie's, 5 May 1939 (lot 78).

Exhibitionsback to top

Paintings and Drawings by Sir Edwin Landseer, RA, 1961 (27).


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, 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 Edwin Henry Landseer

View all known portraits for William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne