Unknown man, formerly known as Edward Daniel Clarke

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on back: Dr Adam Clarke Study for the engraved picture by Opie R.A. Original 6ft.
Christie's stencils are on the stretcher: 968V B319.

Physical descriptionback to top

Head and shoulders nearly facing, dark coat, white collar and neckcloth.

Provenanceback to top

Bought in Exeter in 1888 by Henry Willett and given by him in April 1889 as Dr Adam Clarke (c.1762-1832), theologian. In spite of the inscription on the back the portrait bears very little relation to the comparable portraits of Dr Adam Clarke of which there are three: by Jackson (mezzotint by W. Ward), by Jenkinson (stipple by Thomson), and by Partridge (stipple by Blood). The portrait by Opie, exhibited RA (167), is of Dr Edward Daniell Clark (1769-1822), traveller and mineralogist; engravings by R. Golding (1811) and E. Scriven (1825) show two different portraits attributed to Opie, one with long unruly hair and fur coat, the other in academic robes, but neither resembling NPG 813. If it does represent Dr Adam Clarke the nearest approach is Jackson's portrait, but there is very little justification for this either.


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 John Opie