John Fawcett

This portraitback to top

The portrait was commissioned by Robert Vernon, a cheque for 100 guineas being paid 'in Mr Fawcett's presence' 8 September 1828. Sittings were arranged in November 1828 but only one appears to have been achieved and Lawrence was unable to finish the work (LAW/5/270 in RA library. Vernon claimed it from Lawrence's estate in January 1830 when it was described as 'Port. of Mr Fawcett of Covent Garden ... No.52. Head nearly finished abt ½ - 1828 - Sep ¾ price 200' (Executor's list Kenneth Garlick, ‘Catalogue of Paintings, Drawings and Pastels of Sir Thomas Lawrence’ in Walpole Society Journal, XXXIX, 1964, p 285). It was probably finished off in the studio though it still remains charmingly fresh and spontaneous. It was delivered to Vernon in March 1830.

Physical descriptionback to top

Head and shoulders in dark greenish drab coat with velvet collar, white collar and shirt, pink eyeglass ribbon, black silk tie and waistcoat; grey hair, grey eyes, florid complexion; plain brown background.

Provenanceback to top

Commissioned by Robert Vernon who paid the deposit money in 1828; given by Vernon to the National Gallery, transferred to the Tate and to the NPG in 1883 (National Gallery (Loan) Act 1883).

Exhibitionsback to top

British Institution, 1833 (18), wrongly as 'William Fawcett'.

Reproductionsback to top

Plate by W. J. Edwards in Art Journal, 1854.


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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