Samuel Palmer

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed in ink on the card on which the miniature is mounted, apparently in the artist's hand: Sam^l. Palmer Esq. (Painter)/Painted by Geo Richmond in Half Moon St in Nov^r/1829/Exhibited at R^L Ac^y. 1830
Incised on the copper back of the frame, apparently in the artist's hand: Sam^L Palmer E/1829/Painted by/exhibited 1830/Geo Richmond/in 1829/TKR GR/1874

This portraitback to top

Palmer's expression and long hair recall Durer's self-portrait as Christ, possibly intentionally. Other drawings of Palmer by Richmond, some of them possibly studies for this miniature, are discussed above (NPG 2154).

Referenceback to top

Grigson 1947
G. Grigson, Samuel Palmer - The Visionary Years (1947), pp 98, 149 and 205.

Physical descriptionback to top

Fresh complexion, brown eyes, hair and beard. Dressed in a white shirt, yellow undergarment and red over-garment with grey fur collar. Green landscape and blue sky behind; orange-tipped foliage bottom left and top right. The colours are very clear and bright.

Provenanceback to top

The artist; by descent to his grandson, Dr R. T. Richmond, and purchased from him, 1928.

Exhibitionsback to top

RA, 1830 (668); Special Exhibition of Portrait Miniatures, South Kensington Museum, 1865 (2408); Samuel Palmer, Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield, 1961 (1).

Reproductionsback to top

G. Grigson, Samuel Palmer - The Visionary Years (1947), plate 4.


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 Samuel Palmer

View all known portraits for George Richmond