Early Georgian Portraits Catalogue
James Bradley (1693-1762), Astronomer Royal
- Gallery portraits
- All known portraits
- Biography and References
The Hudson is the earliest known portrait. At least two versions exist, one presented to the Bodleian in 1769 by the sitter's daughter Susanna and the other to the Royal Society by her husband, [1] the Rev Samuel Peach; the Rev J. Dallaway has also been given as donor. [2] The eyes in the Royal Society version are hazel. [3] When engraved by E. Scriven for C. Knight's Gallery of Portraits [4] and in the Second Exhibition of National Portraits, South Kensington, 1867 (342), the artist was given as Richardson. Harding lists the portrait as of c.1804, without artist's name. [5] The Macclesfield collection at Shirburn Castle where a portrait might be expected (the 2nd earl was the sitter's patron) has not been available for study. A portrait with nearly the same face mask as the Hudson but apparently by another hand, at the Royal Observatory, Herstmonceaux Castle, was first recorded in 1831. [6] It was apparently given, through the Royal Society, by Mrs Peach's nephew and executor Samuel Lysons. [7] Although not easily read in its present condition, there is no doubt that it was 'drawn at a more advanced age'. [8] Lysons also owned, in 1795, a small Indian ink drawing of about 1752 by James Ferguson. [9]
1) R. L. Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the Possession of the University, Colleges, City and County of Oxford, 1912-25, I, p 104 (258).
2) S. P. Rigaud, Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley, 1832, p civ, note m.
3) Information, I. Kaye.
4) The Gallery of Portraits with Memoirs (Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge), VI, 1836, p 69.
5) G. P. Harding, List of Portraits ... in Various Mansions of the United Kingdom ... MS, c.1804, NPG archives, II, f.180.
6) Information and photograph, P. S. Laurie, Royal Observatory.
7) Mrs Peach died 21 September 1812; see S. P. Rigaud, Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley, 1832, p ci, note b.
8) Ibid, p civ, note m.
9) D. Lysons, The Environs of London, III, p 267 and note 60; see also Rigaud, Preface to his Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley for relations between Lysons and Peach.
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977, 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.
1) R. L. Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the Possession of the University, Colleges, City and County of Oxford, 1912-25, I, p 104 (258).
2) S. P. Rigaud, Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley, 1832, p civ, note m.
3) Information, I. Kaye.
4) The Gallery of Portraits with Memoirs (Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge), VI, 1836, p 69.
5) G. P. Harding, List of Portraits ... in Various Mansions of the United Kingdom ... MS, c.1804, NPG archives, II, f.180.
6) Information and photograph, P. S. Laurie, Royal Observatory.
7) Mrs Peach died 21 September 1812; see S. P. Rigaud, Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley, 1832, p ci, note b.
8) Ibid, p civ, note m.
9) D. Lysons, The Environs of London, III, p 267 and note 60; see also Rigaud, Preface to his Miscellaneous Works and Correspondence of the Rev. James Bradley for relations between Lysons and Peach.
This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977, 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.