James Northcote

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on back of original canvas probably by himself: Portrait of/J. Northcote painted by himself/1784.

This portraitback to top

The portrait is not entered in either the MS Register or in Gwynn's appendix but it is clearly dated 1784 and shows the artist aged 38 in dramatic chiaroscuro. A version with the right hand held slightly higher is in Plymouth Art Gallery. Another version with the right hand holding a brush is among a small collection of Northcotes in Devon (private collection).

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length profile to left with palette and brushes, right index finger pointing to forehead; dark brown hair tied in queue, dark eyes, pink complexion; reddish-brown coat, white silk waistcoat with pink stripes, white shirt and cravat; reddish-brown background.

Provenanceback to top

Collingssplatt collection and seen at Christie's 9 July 1884 by the Trustees (Scharf's report in registered packet); Mrs A. C. H Collingssplatt (?daughter-in-law) and bought from her 1945.


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 James Northcote