4 OF 37

Lord Byron

4 of 37 portraits of Lord Byron

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

Lord Byron

by Lorenzo Bartolini
marble bust, 1822
23 1/2 in. (597 mm) high
Purchased, 1904
Primary Collection
NPG 1367

Sitterback to top

George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (1788-1824), Poet. Sitter in 37 portraits.

Artistback to top

Lorenzo Bartolini (1777-1850), Sculptor. Artist or producer associated with 2 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Carved at the request of the sculptor while Byron was staying at Pisa in 1822. Though generally thought very like, the bust was criticised by Byron who claimed 'it exactly resembles a superannuated Jesuit'.

Linked publicationsback to top

Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 83

Placesback to top

Place made: Italy (Pisa, Italy)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Mad, Bad and Dangerous: The Cult of Lord Byron (20 November 2002 - 16 February 2003)

Subject/Themeback to top

Sculpture

Events of 1822back to top

Current affairs

Lord Castlereagh (the Marquis of Londonderry) commits suicide after a blackmail campaign against him.
Tory cabinet joined by liberals George Canning and Robert Peel. Canning is appointed Foreign Secretary.

Art and science

John Nash completes the remodelling of the King's villa, the Brighton Pavilion and begins plans for the new layout of Regent Street and Regent's Park.
The Caledonian Canal opens to link eastern to western Scotland.
The Sunday Times is founded.

International

David Wilkie exhibits celebrated Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Academy to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. It proves so popular a rail has to be erected to protect it.
First major failure of the potato crop in Ireland. A large-scale public works programme is implemented to provide employment.

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