Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on a label, formerly on the back of the frame: No 2/The Earl of Shaftesbury/K. G./by John Collier/6 William Street/Lowndes Square/ London S. W

This portraitback to top

In a minute of 14 October 1878 (copy, NPG archives), the Board of the Lunacy Commission tendered their thanks to Mr Wilkes for securing 'a worthy representation of Lord Shaftesbury as an ornament for their Board Room, wherefrom the first he has constantly presided over the deliberations of a body called into existence mainly by his exertions'. In a second minute of 6 November 1878 (copy, NPG archives), a letter from Shaftesbury of 31 October 1878 was communicated, in which he thanked the Board for 'a copy of the Minute passed on October 14 in reference to a Portrait of myself that has been hung on the walls of our Board Room'.

Referenceback to top

Collier
Hon J. Collier, 'Sitters Book' (photostat copy of original MS, NPG archives), p 1, under 1877.

Physical descriptionback to top

Pale complexion, dark greyish-blue(?) eyes, brown hair with grey streaks. Dressed in a black neck-tie, white shirt and black suit. Resting one arm on a standing desk covered with papers, a quill pen and an envelope; two brown leather-bound books are visible below the desk. Rest of background dark brown (there is a vague suggestion of a patterned wall-paper).

Provenanceback to top

James Wilkes, presented by him to the Commission in Lunacy; on the abolition of the commission, the portrait was presented to the NPG in accordance with the wishes of James Wilkes, 1914.<sup>1

1</sup> Copy of Wilkes’ deed of gift, NPG archives.



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 John Collier

View all known portraits for Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury