First Previous 1 OF 9 NextLast

John Keble

1 of 9 portraits of John Keble

© National Portrait Gallery, London

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation

John Keble

by George Richmond
chalk, 1863
28 1/4 in. x 20 1/2 in. (718 mm x 521 mm)
Bequeathed by George Richmond, 1896
Primary Collection
NPG 1043

Sitterback to top

  • John Keble (1792-1866), Church of England clergyman and poet. Sitter in 9 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • George Richmond (1809-1896), Portrait painter and draughtsman; son of Thomas Richmond. Artist or producer associated with 337 portraits, Sitter in 14 portraits.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Foister, Susan, Cardinal Newman 1801-90, 1990 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 2 March - 20 May 1990), p. 67 Read entry

    In 1863, the year of this drawing, Newman received the first letter from Keble he had had for seventeen years (Newman had in fact never replied to Keble's letter of 1846). Newman wrote back enthusiastically, 'Never have I doubted for one moment your affection for me - never have I been hurt at your silence'. (Ian Ker, John Henry Newman: A Biography, Oxford, 1988, pp 527-88).

    In 1865, Newman visited Keble at his Vicarage at Hursley, near Southampton. Pusey was also there (although Newman had hoped to avoid the emotion of a double reunion): 'Keble was at the door, he did not know me, nor I him ... it was the old face and manner, but the first effect and impression was different'. Newman noted 'he is as delightful as ever - and it seemed to me as if he felt a sympathy and intimacy with me which he did not find with Pusey'. (Ian Ker, John Henry Newman: A Biography, Oxford, 1988, p 578).

    The drawing is listed in Richmond's account book (photostat copy, National Portrait Gallery Archive) on p 77 for the year 1863 and is itself dated 24 July 1863. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1864 and an engraving by W. Holl was published in 1864.

  • Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 247
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 346

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1863back to top

Current affairs

The opening of the world's first underground railway, with the Metropolitan Railway running trains between Bishop's Street, Padington and Farringdon. Work had begun in 1860, using the 'cut-and-cover' method of construction. The Metropolitan line inspired the construction of other underground railways - the Parisian 'Metro' took its name from the line.
The Football Association is founded.

Art and science

Julia Margaret Cameron takes up photography, taking portraits of some of the most celebrated figures of the day, with her romantic style capturing the sense of nostalgia and longing that characterised the age.
Kingsley's Water Babies; A Fairy Tale for Children is published, the hugely popular tale of drowned chimney sweep Tom's moral education in the river world of the water babies. It inspired the 1978 film starring James Mason.

International

At an international conference, the Geneva Public Welfare Society calls on the sixteen nations present to form voluntary units to help the wartime wounded. The society, comprised of five Swiss citizens and led by Henri Dunant, who had been deeply affected by the casualties he had witnessed at the Battle of Solferino, became the National Red Cross Societies, adopting the emblem of a red cross on white background.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.