John Keats

Overview
Extended Catalogue Entry

John Keats

by Benjamin Robert Haydon
plaster cast of life-mask, 1816
9 1/4 in. (235 mm) high
Given by Miss Charlotte Reynolds, 1883
Primary Collection
NPG 686

Sitterback to top

John Keats (1795-1821), Poet. Sitter in 15 portraits, Artist associated with 2 portraits.

Artistback to top

Benjamin Robert Haydon (1786-1846), History painter and diarist. Artist associated with 34 portraits, Sitter in 10 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This cast is one of a number made for Keats's close friends; it belonged to the poet John Hamilton Reynolds. Another cast was described by Keats's sister as a perfect copy of the features of my dear brother, though she thought the expression more severe than the sweet and mild original.

Related worksback to top

NPG 686a: John Keats (after)
NPG 686b: John Keats (metal cast)

Linked publicationsback to top

Holmes, Richard, Insights: The Romantic Poets and Their Circle, 2005, p. 21
Piper, David, The English Face, 1992, p. 188
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 346
Walker, Richard, Regency Portraits, 1985, p. 287

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1816back to top

Current affairs

Marriage of Princess Charlotte to Leopold I.
Income Tax abolished.
Unsuccessful Spa Fields Riot led by the ultra-radical Arthur Thistlewood which aimed to attack the Tower of London and the Bank of England and set up a ruling 'Committee of Public Safety' following the French model.

Art and science

Jane Austen publishes Emma.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal completed.

International

British Government buys the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Acropolis in Athens by Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin, and brought to England between 1803 and 1812. Their acquisition prompts support from Thomas Lawrence and Benjamin Robert Haydon and condemnation from Lord Byron.
Slave rebellion fails in Barbados; four hundred slaves are executed.

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.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.