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George Rennie

2 of 117 portraits matching these criteria:

- subject matching 'Bridges'

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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George Rennie

by John Linnell
watercolour on ivory, 1824
4 3/4 in. x 3 1/2 in. (121 mm x 89 mm)
Purchased, 1949
Primary Collection
NPG 3683

Sitterback to top

  • George Rennie (1791-1866), Mechanical and civil engineer. Sitter in 3 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • John Linnell (1792-1882), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 70 portraits, Sitter in 8 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This is the only recorded portrait of George Rennie.

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Ormond, Richard, Early Victorian Portraits, 1973, p. 392
  • Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 101
  • Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 517
  • Walker, Richard, Miniatures: 300 Years of the English Miniature, 1998, p. 107 Read entry

    The miniature by John Linnell is the only recorded portrait of George Rennie, eldest son of the renowned engineer John Rennie (1761-1821). At the time of this miniature, Rennie was working with his elder brother and partner, John (1794-1866), on the construction of the new London Bridge, which had been designed by their father.

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1824back to top

Current affairs

Anti-Trade Union Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 are repealed after persuasive arguments from radical Francis Place that prohibition of workers' combinations only increased their appeal. The unions had been banned for fear that they were becoming involved in democratic politics.

Art and science

National Gallery is established when Parliament agrees to purchase a collection of thirty-eight paintings from the estate of philanthropist John Julius Angerstein. William Seguier is appointed first Keeper.
Society of British Artists holds its first exhibition, aiming to appeal to a broader art public than those who visited the Royal Academy.

International

Lord Byron dies of a fever at Missolonghi while fighting in the Greek War of Independence.
Britain declares war on Burma after threat of Indian invasion.
Singapore is ceded to Britain.
John Constable's Haywain receives Gold Medal at the Paris Salon.

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