Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A. (1769-1830) Portrait of Robert Banks Jenkinson

Sir Thomas Lawrence P.R.A. (1769-1830)

Portrait of Robert Banks Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool, KG, MP (1770-1828) Prime Minister

Half length, holding a letter

Oil on canvas

76 x 63cm; 30 x 25in

Robert Jenkinson, the second son of the 1st Earl of Liverpool, was one of the most accomplished politicians of the 19th Century and is still the youngest and longest serving prime minister since 1806, serving from 1812-1827. He was created Baron Hawkesbury in 1803 and succeeded his father in 1808. He served as Foreign secretary, Home Secretary and Secretary for War and the Colonies before becoming Prime Minister. This portrait was completed between 1805-1810, when he was Home Secretary. Lord Liverpool was painted four times by Lawrence, this one less formal than later portraits, conveying the sitters diplomatic and engaging personality. As prime minister he saw the end of the war with France and with Lord Castlereagh he negotiated a lasting peace at the Congress of Vienna. He also presided over the passing of the Corn Laws in 1815 as well as Catholic emancipation.

Provenance:

By family descent to C.J.C Grant;

Grant Sale, Christie's 11th May 1923 (109)

Major J.S. Courtauld, 9 Grosvenor Square, London

Sale on the premises by Gilkes, 27th October 1938 (246)

Mrs Henry Dreyfus

Private collection

Exhibited:

Royal Academy, British Art, 1934 (471)

Agnew, November-December 1938 (48)

Agnew, Lawrence 1951 (33)

Literature:

Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, Sir Thomas Lawrence, 1900 p.136

Sir Walter Armstrong, Lawrence, 1913, p.146

Kenneth Garlick, A Catalogue of the paintings drawings and pastels of Sir Thomas Lawrence, The Walpole Society, vol. XXXXIX, p.127

Kenneth Garlick, Sir Thomas Lawrence 1989, no.498, pg. 225, ill. 498(b)