John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale

1 portrait by Sir Martin Archer Shee

John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale, by Sir Martin Archer Shee, circa 1802 -NPG 1265 - © National Portrait Gallery, London

© National Portrait Gallery, London

Regency Portraits Catalogue

John Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale

by Sir Martin Archer Shee
circa 1802
55 1/4 in. x 43 in. (1403 mm x 1092 mm)
NPG 1265

This portraitback to top

He is shown in robes as Lord Chancellor of Ireland and the portrait was probably painted to mark his appointment to this office in 1802. It is accompanied by a note from Lord Eldon, 'Sir John Mitford, Lord Redesdale, by Sir M. A. Shee. This picture painted by M. A. Shee Esq. now Sir Martin Archer Shee PRA belonged to the late Lord Chancellor Eldon. It is a portrait of the late Sir John Mitford, Lord Redesdale, as Lord Chancellor of Ireland, who died 16 Jany 1830/Eldon 1840' (note from Lord Eldon in NPG archive). A version in the Speaker's House Westminster, presented by Lord Redesdale in 1949, has brass studs on the chair upholstery and no tassel to the curtain.

Physical descriptionback to top

Three-quarter-length seated to right in Lord Chancellor of Ireland's gown, left hand on Purse, armchair upholstered in crimson leather, crimson curtain background; blue eyes, swarthy complexion.

Provenanceback to top

Lord Chancellor Eldon; given by Algernon Freeman-Mitford (created Lord Redesdale 1902) in 1900.

Exhibitionsback to top

On loan to Royal Courts of Justice since 1958.


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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