Bella Ibbetson (née Thompson)

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on the back: BELL OF WINDERMERE, painted by Her Husband, Julius Ibbetson, May 1803, and by Her presented to their Friend, John Staveley, Stonegate, York.

This portraitback to top

Ibbetson's self-portrait was painted to follow the companion of his wife Bella and both were given to John Staveley, an old Yorkshire friend who had introduced them to William Danby, squire of Swinton where they spent the last 13 years of Ibbetson's life. At the time of their two portraits, 1803-4, they were living at Willy House, Clappergate, Ambleside, and then Crag House, Troutbeck.

Provenanceback to top

Given by the artist to John Staveley; the Misses Green; Sir Edward Coates sale Sotheby's 22 June 1922 (82) bought Fox; Leggatt Brothers; the Hon Frederic Wallop; Alan Evans bequest and lent by the National Gallery 1975.

Exhibitionsback to top

Grosvenor Gallery winter 1889 (178) lent by the Misses Green; Leeds, 1948 (34); Bristol, 1948 (30); Kenwood, 1957 (36); 'Artists at Work', NPG Loan Exhibition, 1981-2 (8).


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 Bella Ibbetson (née Thompson)