James Watt
(1736-1819), EngineerMid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 17 portraits
A mechanical engineer who trained as a mathematical instrument-maker, James Watt invented the condensing steam-engine in 1765. He took Matthew Boulton as his partner in 1775, and developed an improved version of this engine which revolutionised industry and immortalised Watt's name, inaccurately but effectively, as the 'inventor of the steam-engine'.
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
by Carl Fredrik von Breda
oil on canvas, 1792
On display in Room 13 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 186a
by Henry Howard
oil on bevelled mahogany panel, circa 1797
NPG 663
by Peter Rouw
wax medallion, 1802
On display in the Room 13 miniature case at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 183
by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
pencil, circa 1814
NPG 316a(191)
Men of Science Living in 1807-8
by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075
Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a
Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'
by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b
by Alexander Wilson, after Unknown sculptor
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax138002
by Samuel William Reynolds, after Carl Fredrik von Breda
mezzotint, published 1796
NPG D4696
by Henry Bone, after Sir William Beechey
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, 8 May 1803 (exhibited 1802)
NPG D17511
by Charles Picart, published by T. Cadell & W. Davies, after William Evans, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 1809
NPG D37897
by Charles Picart, after Sir William Beechey
stipple engraving, published 1809
NPG D8374
by Charles Turner, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
mezzotint, published 1815
NPG D18005
by J. Pass, after Auguste Hervieu
line engraving, 1828
NPG D4697
by J. Pass, after Auguste Hervieu
line engraving, 1828
NPG D4698
Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey; James Watt (on reverse)
by William Wyon, after William Bain, and after Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey
bronze medal, 1843
NPG D2912
published by Photographische Gesellschaft, after Carl Fredrik von Breda
photogravure, circa 1910 (1792)
NPG D37898
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