George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton

This portraitback to top

The portrait is undated and in appearance seems near in age to the Reynolds of 1756; but, despite certain marks of his influence in the lighting, it is too weakly painted for him. Nor is it likely to be by Benjamin West although there is a close resemblance in the face to his portrait of the sitter in peer's parliamentary robes at Hagley. Arthur Pond, who worked for the sitter there, may also be discounted.

Physical descriptionback to top

Blue eyes, acquiline nose, pursed lips, long angular face, full white wig looped into a knot; white neck-cloth and shirt ruffle, plain collarless blue velvet coat with silver lace buttonholes; dark brown background, lighter on right; lit from the left.

Conservationback to top

Slight retouchings, chiefly down the shoulders; restored and repaired, 1872 and 1881.

Provenanceback to top

Presented, 1861, by George, sixth Baron Lyttelton; presumably by descent.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977, 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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