Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour







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Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour
by Philip Alexius de László
oil on canvas
42 1/2 in. x 30 in. (1080 mm x 762 mm)
Given by Countess of Wemyss, 1931
Primary Collection
NPG 2497
Sitterback to top
- Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour (1848-1930), Prime Minister and philosopher. Sitter in 138 portraits.
Artistback to top
- Philip Alexius de László (1869-1937), Portrait painter. Artist associated with 21 portraits, Sitter in 7 portraits.
Linked publicationsback to top
- McConkey, Kenneth, Edwardian portraits : images of an age of opulence, 1987, p. 239 number 87
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 31
Events of 1900back to top
Current affairs
The Conservatives return to power, after the Prime Minister Lord Salisbury calls a general election, known as the 'Khaki election', on the back of huge jingoistic support for the Boer War.The Labour Representation Committee (LRC) is founded from a coalition of socialist groups; they win two seats in the 1900 election and Ramsay Macdonald is appointed secretary. The Labour politician Keir Hardie is also returned to Parliament for Merthyr Tydfilin Wales.
Art and science
German physicist Max Planck proposes the concept of the quantum theory. Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams is published. In the text, Freud outlines his theory of dream analysis, crucial to the study of the unconscious, and introduces key concepts in psychoanalysis, such as the Ego.The Paris International Exhibition, attended by more than 50 million people and including over 76,000 exhibitors, marks the heyday of Art Nouveau.
International
In China the Boxer rebellion takes place. The Boxers were anti-imperialist and against foreign influence in trade, religion, politics and technology in the final years of the Manchu rule. The Boxers invade Beijing, killing 230 foreigners and Chinese Christians. The rebellion is suppressed by a multinational coalition of 20,000 troops, with China being forced to pay large war reparations, contributing to growing nationalist resentment against the Qing dynasty.Tell us more back to top
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Related pages
- Letter from Alice Balfour - 21 July 1908
- Letter from Arthur James Balfour - 24 July 1908
- Card from Alice Balfour - 31 August 1908
- Card from Alice Balfour - 14 September 1908
- 2019 Anniversaries
- Artist - Laszlo
- Correspondence and Papers of Philip de László
- Learn more about Philip de László
- Guide to the correspondence and papers of Philip de László
- Online index and preliminary list
- Other archive material relating to Philip de László in the National Portrait Gallery
- Other sources of information about Philip de László
- Selected letters of Philip de László
- Walter Benington: Pictorial portraits
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