Daniel O'Connell

Inscriptionback to top

Signed and dated (lower right): B. M./R.H.A./-36 Inscribed in pencil on the back: Mulrenin RHA 1836.
Inscribed on a label, formerly on the back of the miniature: Daniel O'Connell Esq^r. M.P. & - /Bernard Mulrenin R.H.A./Dublin/ Painted in/1835 [sic]/No. 1.
Inscribed on another label: ON LOAN FROM [printed]/ Bernard Mulrenin Esq/29th May 18 [printed] 65

This portraitback to top

The second label apparently refers to the South Kensington Museum, where the miniature was on loan, apparently offered for sale. It was not in the Miniature Exhibition of 1865 at South Kensington. In a letter of 14 December 1865 (NPG archives), the artist wrote:

'Mr O'Connell sat to me for the Portrait in question - it is an original picture, and was painted at the request of Mrs O'Connell for the purpose of having several small copies which she presented to the members of his Family; I have just found - rather to my surprise, after such a lapse of time, a note from her on the occasion.'

Referenceback to top

Strickland 1913
W. G. Strickland, Dictionary of Irish Artists (1913), II, 151.

Physical descriptionback to top

Fair complexion, greenish(?) eyes, brown hair. Dressed in a black stock and neck-tie, white shirt, black coat with black buttons and one brass one (upper right). Background colour various tones of brown and greenish-grey.

Provenanceback to top

The artist, purchased from him, 1866.


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 Daniel O'Connell