Sir John Franklin

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed at the side of the base: A C Lucchesi/98

This portraitback to top

The donor was very dissatisfied with the portraits of Sir John Franklin, particularly that by Phillips (NPG 903), which seemed to him to lack the sitter's characteristic energy and determination. In a letter of 29 April 1899 (NPG archives), he wrote:

'I accordingly by the aid of a Wax bust in my possession and the Medallion by David & the engraving by Neguelin [sic], set the Sculptor Lucchesi to work & with the help of those four who are still living who knew Sir John I have got a bust executed in Bronze about ½ lifesize which besides being a bit of very good work is undoubtedly a good likeness.'
The last surviving nephew of Franklin, the Rev Wright, who bore a marked resemblance to his uncle, sat for the last touches to the bust. Other casts are in the Franklin Museum, Hobart, Tasmania, the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, and the collection of the Rev Edward Alston.

Provenanceback to top

Commissioned by the sitter's godson and great-nephew, Willingham Franklin Rawnsley, and presented by him, 1899.

Exhibitionsback to top

Twelfth Summer Exhibition, New Gallery, 1899 (478).

Reproductionsback to top

The Life, Diaries and Correspondence of Jane Lady Franklin, 1792 -1875, edited W. F. Rawnsley (1923), facing p 64 (the caption contains further information).


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 Franklin