Samuel William Reynolds

Inscriptionback to top

Old paper labels from the back, now in registered packet, read: Portrait by Opie/of S. W. Reynolds/Artist & Engraver/Property of his Grandaughter/Miss Walker/64 Margaret St/Cavendish Sq.
Another slightly more modern label, in shakier handwriting, reads: Property of Miss (Marion) Walker/2 the Lodge Foots Cray/Kent (late of address above) Feb 25th 1902.

This portraitback to top

Opie's portrait of Mrs S. W. Reynolds (Jane Cowen), now Tate Gallery 2877, is believed to have been painted for S. W. Reynolds himself in 1795 (Martin Davies, British School, National Gallery, 1946, p 106). The NPG portrait was probably painted about 10 years later (Ada Earland, John Opie and his Circle, 1911).

Physical descriptionback to top

Head and shoulders to right aged about 33-5, dark reddish-brown coat, white neckcloth, black hair, dark brown eyes, rich rosy cheeks, ear unfinished; plain dark background.

Provenanceback to top

Offered by Reynolds's granddaughter, Miss Marion Walker, in 1888 (Sir George Scharf’s Trustees’ Sketchbooks, XXXV, 10) and finally bought from her in 1902.


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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