Robert Moffat

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on the reverse: Painted by/W^m. Scott/Dec^r 1842.

This portraitback to top

The identification is traditional, but agrees well with authentic portraits of Moffat. The vendors wrote in a letter of 2 February 1950 (NPG archives): 'Very little is known of the history of the portrait except that a certain Alexander Smith was related to Mary Moffat wife of Robert Moffat.'

Physical descriptionback to top

Healthy complexion, dark brown eyes and hair. Dressed in a black stock, white shirt, and black coat. Background colour various tones of dark brown and dark green.

Provenanceback to top

Traditionally said to have descended from the sitter's wife, Mrs Mary Moffat (née Smith), to R. M. and R. N. Aidrych-Smith, from whom it was purchased, 1950.


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 Robert Moffat