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

Subjects & Themesback to top

Oil
Painting

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.

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