Sir John Sinclair, 1st Bt

This portraitback to top

The portrait was probably painted to commemorate his appointment as Privy Councillor in 1810. His published works appear on the table - History of the Public Revenue of the British Empire, 1789-90, Statistical Account of Scotland, vol.21, 1799, and the famous Code of Health in 4 vols., 1807. Raeburn painted his compatriot on several occasions, Sir Walter Armstrong, Raeburn, 1901 listing six either in the Sinclair or Raeburn families. The earliest, painted c.1790, was in the Raeburn Exhibition, 1876. The magnificent whole-length in highland uniform c.1795 is in the National Gallery of Scotland (2301) exhibited 'European Masters', RA, 1954-5, a striking contrast to the sober maturity of the NPG portrait of the Privy Councillor.

Physical descriptionback to top

Nearly whole-length seated to left in a red leather armchair, black suit, white collar and shirt-frill, snuffbox in right hand, papers in left; grey hair and eyebrows, brown eyes, ruddy complexion; table to left with papers, inkstand and books; red curtain background.

Provenanceback to top

Raeburn family and Christie's (Raeburn sale) 7 May 1877 (2) bought NPG.

Exhibitionsback to top

On loan to House of Commons since 1977.

Reproductionsback to top

Oval stipple, head and shoulders only by J. Beugo, published in Edinburgh by A. Constable & Co.


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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