Sir Peter Francis Bourgeois

This portraitback to top

The three versions of this portrait NPG 231, Dulwich Gallery (17) and Soane Museum (114), all have firm pedigrees and appear to be authentic Beecheys, though none is in first class condition. The Dulwich version, painted on wood, has a Reynolds sketch on the back which, it is said, caused Beechey to paint his friend's portrait in order to ensure its preservation (Sir Edward Cook, Catalogue of Pictures ... at Dulwich, 1914, p 12); in fact the Dulwich Gallery usually exhibits the Reynolds sketch as being of more interest. Dulwich also has two copies, both by Bourgeois himself. The Soane Museum portrait, in a very battered state, was presented by Beechey himself in 1836 but there is no label or inscription on the back. There is therefore no certainty which is the original or which was exhibited RA 1813 and SBA 1830.

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length to left aged about 55, grey close-fitting hair, greenish-brown eyes, fresh complexion; green coat with black collar, white waistcoat, white shirt-frills and high collar; ribbon (red with white stripe) and gold medal of Polish Order of Merit (Bourgeois's medal is in the Dulwich Gallery); red curtain background.

Provenanceback to top

Thomas Dixcee and bought from his widow 1867.

Exhibitionsback to top

Possibly RA 1813 (221) and SBA 1830 (101).

Reproductionsback to top

(of this or the Dulwich version)
Stipple by Vendramini from a drawing by Evans published 7 May 1811 for Cadell's Contemporary Portraits, I, 1822; stipple by Scriven for The Library of the Fine Arts, 1832.


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.

View all known portraits for Sir William Beechey

View all known portraits for Sir Peter Francis Bourgeois