Robert Bloomfield

Inscriptionback to top

Finely inscribed in ink on the white mount in Daniel's hand: Presented to me by Robert Bloomfield/George Daniel//Original drawing from the Life/by Edridge, with four lines from The Modern Dunciad.

This portraitback to top

George Daniel in his book of essays and reminiscences relates how Bloomfield came to his house shortly before retiring to the country to die. 'On that mournful occasion he presented me with his miniature by Edridge R.A., a fine likeness and engraved for his works. Not long after this his family informed me of his death'. Daniel inserted the drawing in his own extra-illustrated copy of Love's Labours Not Lost which was bought by the NPG in 1937 and the portrait extracted for display. The book, in two octavo volumes, is in the NPG library and contains many interesting illustrations.

Physical descriptionback to top

Head and shoulders to right, aged about 40 or less, in brown coat with black velvet collar, white neckcloth and ruffled cravat; black hair worn long at the back, black eyebrows, dark eyes, the face modelled with fine hatching; blue sky and clouds background. 'R Bloomfield' in heavy pencil erased from lower edge of buff paper.

Provenanceback to top

Bloomfield himself and given by him to George Daniel c.1822; G. H. Last (rare bookseller of Bromley, Kent) who sold it to the NPG 1937.

Reproductionsback to top

Stipple by Ridley published by Vernor & Hood, 1 June 1805, probably in The Monthly Mirror.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: Richard Walker, Regency Portraits, National Portrait Gallery, 1985, 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.

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