First Previous 2 OF 25 NextLast

Robert Bridges

2 of 25 portraits of Robert Bridges

© National Portrait Gallery, London

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Buy a print Buy a greetings card Make a donation Close

Robert Bridges

by William Strang
goldpoint, 1898
11 5/8 in. x 8 1/2 in. (296 mm x 216 mm)
Given by the sitter's grandson, Lord Bridges, 1988
Primary Collection
NPG 5979

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • William Strang (1859-1921), Painter and etcher. Artist or producer associated with 67 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.

This portraitback to top

This portrait is goldpoint, a technique rarely used since the Renaissance. Made by drawing with a metal stylus over a prepared ground - tinted pink in this case - metalpoints keenly test the skill of the artist since the delicate line cannot be erased. The profile drawing of Bridges formed the basis of an etching by Strang which the poet thought showed him as 'a cross between Moses and an old lion'.

Linked publicationsback to top

Subject/Themeback to top

Events of 1898back to top

Current affairs

The UK Parliament passes the Irish Local Government Act, which establishes a mixed system of local government in Ireland similar to that in Great Britain, notably creating new, directly elected county councils, and extending the electoral franchise to include all male householders and occupiers.
Charles Pelham Villiers, Britain's longest-serving Member of Parliament, dies. Villiers entered Parliament in 1835 as Liberal MP for Wolverhampton.

Art and science

The French physicists Pierre and Marie Curie discover the strongly radioactive elements polonium and radium, paving the way for cancer therapy and nuclear physics.
H.G. Wells's highly influential science fiction novellaThe War of the World is published, describing an invasion of England by aliens from Mars.

International

The Spanish-American war takes place after Spain fails to meet America's demands to peacefully resolve the Cuban fight for independence. America secures victory after a series of quick naval and military victories in the Philippines and Cuba. Later this year, the Treaty of Paris gives the US ownership of the former Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam, the US also taking control of Cuba, ending the uprising and granting independence.

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.