Abraham Rees

Inscriptionback to top

Inscribed on back of stretcher: Abraham Rees DD. FRS. FLS. &c./Painted by J Lonsdale for the Duke of Sussex/The Gift of Joseph Parkes Esq./to the British Museum.

This portraitback to top

The portrait could conceivably have been painted to mark the issue of the first volume of the Rees Cyclopaedia in 1802, a date to suit his apparent age of about 60, but there is no supporting documentation in the NPG archive at present.

Physical descriptionback to top

Half-length to left in black clerical suit holding a volume of his Cyclopaedia, square-cut powdered wig, hazel eyes, rubicund complexion, black ring on little finger; plain grey background.

Provenanceback to top

HRH the Duke of Sussex; Joseph Parkes who gave it to the British Museum 1853; transferred from British Museum to NPG in 1879 together with a collection of other portraits.


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 Lonsdale

View all known portraits for Abraham Rees