Who painted Portrait of a Gentleman?

Portrait of a Gentleman was painted by John Hoppner in c. 1810/1815.

Where can I see Portrait of a Gentleman?

Portrait of a Gentleman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of a Gentleman?

Portrait of a Gentleman is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of a Gentleman?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of a Gentleman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Portrait of a Gentleman by John Hoppner (c. 1810/1815)

About this work

Technique & Style

John Hoppner painted the portrait in 1810, employing the smooth brushwork and fine glazing characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century British portraiture.

The Portrait of a Gentleman is executed in oil on canvas, a medium documented for the work in the National Gallery of Art’s catalog. John Hoppner painted the portrait in 1810, employing the smooth brushwork and fine glazing characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century British portraiture. The support consists of a stretched canvas, typical of portrait commissions of the period, and the surface remains largely intact, though minor craquelure is visible along the edges.

Provenance records indicate the painting passed from a French dealer to Thomas Agnew & Sons in 1924, then to Howard Sturges, before being bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in 1956.

History & Provenance

Dated to 1810, this oil painting by John Hoppner was originally exported from France, likely by a dealer named Bellas, as indicated by a shipping label from the company Chenue addressed to London. The work entered the London market through R.M. Smith, who sold it in 1924 to the firm Thos. Agnew & Sons.

At that time, an old frame label incorrectly identified the sitter as George Fawcett and the artist as George Romney; scholars suggest "George" was a mistake for John Fawcett.

Agnew's subsequently sold the piece in 1925 to Howard Sturges of Providence, Rhode Island, correctly attributing it to Hoppner. Following Sturges's death in 1955, the portrait was bequeathed to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1956.

The Portrait of a Gentleman is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it was received as a bequest from Howard Sturges in 1956. Prior to this acquisition, the work passed through the hands of R.M. Smith, who sold it in 1924 to the London firm Thos. Agnew & Sons, and subsequently to Sturges in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1925.

The painting's provenance traces back to a French shipping label inscribed "Monsieur Bellas/pour Londres," indicating its early export to London. While the artwork has a documented history of ownership transfers, the provided sources do not list specific exhibition dates or venues for this piece.

Overview

John Hoppner's Portrait of a Gentleman, painted in oil on canvas around 1812, exemplifies the artist's prominent role in British portraiture. The work presents a formally dressed man seated, engaging the viewer directly with a serious gaze. This piece reflects Hoppner's established practice of depicting notable figures, a genre central to his artistic output throughout his career.

Subject & Meaning

The painting focuses on a seated male figure, whose direct gaze and composed expression convey a sense of gravitas. Dressed in refined attire, the subject's presentation, with particular attention to his facial features and clothing, suggests an individual of considerable social standing or wealth. Such formal portrayals were customary for patrons seeking to commemorate their status during the period.

Context

John Hoppner was a celebrated English painter who achieved significant recognition for his portraiture during his lifetime. His artistic development was notably shaped by the work of his contemporary, Sir Joshua Reynolds, a leading figure in the British art scene. Portraiture formed the core of Hoppner's artistic output, through which he captured the likenesses of many prominent individuals of his era.