The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Henry Tonks

(1862-1937), Painter, doctor and teacher

Sitter associated with 15 portraits
Artist of 29 portraits
Born in Birmingham, Tonks studied medicine at Brighton (1882-5) and London Hospital (1885-1888). After qualifying he became a doctor at the Royal Free Hospital in London. He attended drawing lessons at the London Technical Institute where he met artist Frederick Brown. When Brown became principal of Slade Art School, he convinced Tonks to give up medicine and become one of it's teachers. At the Slade, Tonks taught Stanley Spencer, Mark Gertler, William Roberts and Christopher Nevinson. At the outbreak of the First World War, he returned to medicine and joined the Royal Army Military Corp. Whilst still in France, he was appointed principal of the Slade Art School in 1917.

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

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

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Philip Wilson Steer, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(3a)

Philip Wilson Steer

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(3a)

Philip Wilson Steer, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(1)

Philip Wilson Steer

by Henry Tonks
pen and ink, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(1)

Philip Wilson Steer, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(6)

Philip Wilson Steer

by Henry Tonks
pen and ink, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(6)

Henry Tonks, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(5)

Henry Tonks

by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(5)

Henry Tonks, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(7)

Henry Tonks

by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(7)

Back view of an unknown artist painting portrait of a woman, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(2)

Back view of an unknown artist painting portrait of a woman

by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(2)

Unknown woman, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(3)

Unknown woman

by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(3)

Henry Tonks, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(4)

Henry Tonks

by Henry Tonks
pencil, 1900-1925
NPG 3072(4)

Two unknown sitters, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(4a)

Two unknown sitters

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(4a)

Two unknown women, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(5a)

Two unknown women

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(5a)

Unknown man, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(7a)

Unknown man

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(7a)

Unknown woman, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(18a)

Unknown woman

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(18a)

Unknown scene: invalid in bed with three female visitors, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(1a)

Unknown scene: invalid in bed with three female visitors

by Henry Tonks
pen and ink, circa 1900-1932
NPG 3072(1a)

George Moore, by Henry Tonks - NPG 4154

George Moore

by Henry Tonks
pencil, published 1901
NPG 4154

Alfred William Rich, by Henry Tonks - NPG 4200

Alfred William Rich

by Henry Tonks
pastel, 1917
NPG 4200

George Moore, by Henry Tonks - NPG 2807

George Moore

by Henry Tonks
pastel, circa 1920
NPG 2807

Philip Wilson Steer, by Henry Tonks - NPG 5088

Philip Wilson Steer

by Henry Tonks
pencil, after 1920
NPG 5088

William Poel, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(11)

William Poel

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1932
NPG 3072(11)

William Poel, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(8)

William Poel

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1932
NPG 3072(8)

William Poel, by Henry Tonks - NPG 3072(9)

William Poel

by Henry Tonks
pencil, circa 1932
NPG 3072(9)

Places

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.