Paul John Bedford

This portraitback to top

Mr de Vere stated that he acquired this water-colour, and the one of William Creswick (NPG 2450), from a stage-hand at the Marylebone Theatre, who had known both actors (letter in NPG archives). Inscribed on a separate piece of paper, mounted below the NPG water-colour is the following autograph: 'Paul Bedford/"I believe you my Boy"'. It does not appear to have any specific connection with the water-colour. There is no doubt, however, that this portrait does represent Bedford.

Physical descriptionback to top

High colour in cheeks, pale brown eyes, brown hair. Dressed in black stock, white shirt, dark grey suit, fawn overcoat, red carnation, black top-hat. Background colour light blue.

Provenanceback to top

Claude de Vere, purchased from him, 1930.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Ormond, Early Victorian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1973, and is as published then. For the most up-to-date details on individual Collection works, we recommend reading the information provided in the Search the Collection results on this website in parallel with this text.

View all known portraits for Paul John Bedford