Joseph Conrad







© National Portrait Gallery, London
- Buy a print
- Use this image
- Share this
Joseph Conrad
by Walter Tittle
oil on canvas, 1923-1924
33 1/2 in. x 27 1/2 in. (851 mm x 699 mm)
Given by Joseph Joel Duveen, Baron Duveen, 1931
Primary Collection
NPG 2220
This portraitback to top
Of Polish parentage, Conrad became a seaman and voyaged widely in the East, the setting for many of his most famous novels. He became a British subject in 1886, settled in England in 1894 and devoted himself to literature. He slowly established himself as one of the greatest of all English-speaking novelists, with Lord Jim, (1900), Nostromo, (1904), and Under Western Eyes, (1911). Speaking of the portrait, which depicts Conrad before the sea, the author's wife praised the artist for having 'raised a lasting memorial to an artist and a friend'.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 140
Events of 1923back to top
Current affairs
Stanley Baldwin begins the first of three terms of government as Conservative Prime Minister following the resignation of Andrew Bonar Law.Art and science
Bolton Wanderers beat West Ham United in the first FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. The Cup Final was held at Wembley every year except during the war until 2000.International
Hitler attempts to take power in Germany with the Munich Beer Hall Putsch. On the 8th November Hitler and the SA stormed a meeting of the ruling 'triumvirs' forcing them to support a march on Berlin. The coup, however, failed and Hitler was arrested and sentences to five years in prison.Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this portrait? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license this image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.