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Sir Henry Irving

© National Portrait Gallery, London

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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

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

Subjects & Themesback to top

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.

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