Sir John Bowring

This portraitback to top

The date of this portrait is provided by the copy of the Westminster Review on which Bowring's right hand is resting (X, June 1826). Bowring was the first co-editor of the Westminster Review, writing on political and literary subjects from the viewpoint of a philosophical radical. Behind Bowring's right arm is a copy of Stanhope's Greece. Stanhope went to Greece in 1823, as the agent of the English Committee in aid of the Greek cause, of which Bowring was secretary. Lady Bowring considered this portrait to be a good likeness of her husband (letter of 19 November 1897, NPG archives).

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, dark blue-green eyes, brown hair. Dressed in a white stock, dark waistcoat and black coat, with gold ring and fob. Seated in a red chair. Reddish-brown book. Background colour light brown.

Provenanceback to top

The sitter, presented by his widow, Lady Bowring, 1898.


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 Sir John Bowring