Jem Wharton
1 portrait of Jem Wharton
Jem Wharton
by William Daniels
oil on canvas, 1839
13 7/8 in. x 10 3/4 in. (352 mm x 273 mm) overall
Lent by the estate of Gerald Pointon, 2017
Primary Collection
NPG L259
On display in Room 18 on Floor 3 at the National Portrait Gallery
This portraitback to top
This portrait by the Liverpool artist William Daniels presents Wharton at the height of his career. He is shown as if pausing during a training session with the ‘colours’ from his latest victory tied around his waist. It is an early depiction of a boxer wearing gloves. At this date, their use was generally reserved for training and they only became mandatory in professional fights with the adoption of the Queensbury Rules later in the century.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Smartify image discovery app
- Rab MacGibbon, National Portrait Gallery: The Collection, p. 61
Events of 1839back to top
Current affairs
The Bedchamber crisis strains relations between the government and the monarchy, after Queen Victoria refuses to dismiss her Whig-appointed ladies of the bedchamber at the request of the new, Conservative Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. Peel resigns and Melbourne returns as Prime Minister.The Grand National is first held at the Aintree race course, won by the horse Lottery, and the first Henley Royal Regatta, the rowing event, is held on the Thames.
Art and science
The French and British scientists Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot separately publicise their experiments with the new form of photography.The prolific journalist Harriet Martineau publishes her three decker novel Deerbrook, the story of middle class country life.
International
The first Opium War with China is sparked after the British government refuses to try six British soldiers accused of killing a Chinese man protecting a temple from looters. Relations were strained as Britain had promoted the drug opium in China to boost trade. Winning the war, Britain secured vital trading rights.African captives aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad revolt, resulting in a highly publicised court case.
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