Sir Henry Irving
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry







© National Portrait Gallery, London
- Buy a print
- Use this image
- Share this
Sir Henry Irving
copy by (Edward) Onslow Ford
bronze bust, circa 1906-1907, based on a work of circa 1883-1884
18 1/2 in. (470 mm overall)
Purchased, 1983
Primary Collection
NPG 5689
Sitterback to top
- Sir Henry Irving (John Henry Brodribb) (1838-1905), Actor-manager. Sitter in 122 portraits.
Artistback to top
- (Edward) Onslow Ford (1852-1901), Sculptor. Artist associated with 8 portraits, Sitter in 10 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Ford's bust is a version of his life-size marble showing Irving in the role of Hamlet. The marble greatly enhanced Ford's reputation as a sculptor.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- Funnell, Peter (introduction); Marsh, Jan, A Guide to Victorian and Edwardian Portraits, 2011, p. 32
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 328
Events of 1883back to top
Current affairs
Following the Secret Ballot Act (1872), the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Act was a further measure introduced by Gladstone's government with the intention of limiting bribery and intimidation in elections. Candidates' expenses were published, and a strict limit set on expenses, and it also enabled poorer candidates to stand for parliament.Art and science
The Royal College of Music founded in London, with the British musicologist George Grove as its first director.Monet moves to Giverny, a village along the Seine, where he lives until his death in 1926. Renting a farmhouse he later buys, Monet designs a pond, redesigns the garden, and begins to paint some of his most recognisable images of water lilies, flower beds and the Japanese footbridge.
International
The Brooklyn Bridge opens in New York, connecting the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, stretching 1825 metres over the East River. One of the oldest suspension bridges in America, it was the largest in the world upon completion. Designed by the John Augustus Roebling's engineering firm, the bridge is built from limestone, granite and Rosendale natural cement, in gothic style.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.