Henry Phipps, Viscount Normanby and Earl of Mulgrave

This portraitback to top

Mulgrave, as General Phipps, was Colonel of the 31st Foot Regiment from 1793 to 1831 and is probably shown here shortly after this appointment. The Mediterranean scene in the background may refer to the Toulon engagement of 1794. But in spite of these pointers the identification with Mulgrave remains doubtful; his very distinctive features as shown in the Lawrence portraits are repeated in a Cosway miniature, signed and dated 1801, at Christie's 3 December 1963 (36).

Physical descriptionback to top

Whole-length standing in major-general's uniform holding plumed hat, hazel eyes, grey powdered hair, young serious face, Mediterranean fortified harbour and lateen-sailed boat in left background, column and curtain right.

Provenanceback to top

Bought from A. W. Holliday 1933.


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.

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