William Huskisson

This portraitback to top

According to a letter from Rothwell this portrait is a copy of an earlier one painted for Lord Hatherton (Teddersley Hall sale Christie's 6 November 1953 lot 19). 'The picture in your possession was intended for and commissioned by Lord Egremont - it was never finished and remained with me until my return to Rome in 1855 - when I parted with it and several other unfinished works' (letter 31 May 1858 in NPG archive). Judging from the lettering on Hodgett's mezzotint another copy was owned by Mrs Huskisson.

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length seated to left on a red House of Commons bench, dark brown coat, buff waistcoat, black neckcloth, white shirt; reddish-brown hair, hazel eyes, florid complexion; plain drab background; a torn label on back: '... painted for the Earl of Egremont by Richard Rothwell R.H.A.'.

Provenanceback to top

The artist until 1855; Bartholomew Watkins and bought from him 1857.

Reproductionsback to top

Mezzotint by Hodgetts 'Engraved after the original painted in 1830 in the possession of Mrs Huskisson' published August 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 William Huskisson

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