Unknown man, formerly known as Paul Whitehead

Inscriptionback to top

Signed Jn° Downman/pinx 1770 to left of sitter.

This portraitback to top

When or why the name of Whitehead became attached to this portrait, which bears no resemblance to other likenesses of the satirist, is not recorded. A replica, also signed and dated 1770, was sold at Christie's as a portrait of John Howard the philanthropist on 31 July 1925, lot 141, and again at Sotheby's on 13 March 1946, lot 69. Another replica or copy, without date or signature, was sold at Sotheby's as an unknown gentleman by J. Wright of Derby on 4 June 1958, lot 98.

Physical descriptionback to top

Blue-grey eyes, dark grey brows, white wig, sallow complexion; white cravat and ruffles, buff coat; light brown background shading to dark brown; green drapery to left.

Conservationback to top

Much retouching to face (particularly tip of nose), coat and background.

Provenanceback to top

Given 1912 by the Hon. Evan Charteris, who had purchased it from Shepherd Bros; from the collection of Captain G. Bramwell (d. 1905) of Chalcot Gardens, NW3.


This extended catalogue entry is from the out-of-print National Portrait Gallery collection catalogue: John Kerslake, Early Georgian Portraits, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1977, 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 Paul Whitehead