The plates themselves are not numbered, but are assigned numbers in the 'List Of The Works By Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. Contained In This Volume'.
Contents
[T.pl.; explanatory text] - [Plates, with explanatory texts] - [Engraved] List Of The Works By Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. Contained In This Volume [lists t.pl. portr. and 50 pl.].
Responsibility Note
All plates are signed as painted by Thomas Lawrence, and as engraved by William Giller, Samuel Cousins, J.E. Coombs, John Lucas, George H. Phillips, C.E. Wagstaff, Jas. Egan, Edward McInnes, W. Humphrys, S.W. Reynolds, P. Thomas, J.R. Jackson, C. Lewis, Wm. Humphrey, J. Porter or W.O. Burgess - apart from pl. [35] (portrait of J.P. Curran) and [38] (Rose Bud), which are unsigned.
Each plate (apart from pl. [35, 38]) carries the publisher's imprint and the date. For 1835 the publishers' name is given as Hodgson, Boys & Graves; for 1836-1840, Hodgson & Graves; for 1840-1843, Graves & Warmsley; for 1844-1846, H. Graves & Co.
The 'List Of The Works' is signed as engraved by F.P. Becker and Co.
References
M. Levey, Sir Thomas Lawrence (2005); K.J. Garlick, Sir Thomas Lawrence (1989); R. Walker, Regency portraits (2 v., 1985).
C. Wax, The mezzotint: history and technique (1990); A. Dyson, Pictures to print: the nineteenth-century engraving trade (1984).
Summary Note
The work was published serially from 1835. A publisher's advertisement carrying the date 1835 announces that 'A Part will appear at regular intervals of Three Months, containing Three Plates ...'. The plates carry dates, ranging from September 1 1835 to May 1 1846.
The title-plate incorporates a self-portrait of Lawrence. The other plates show portraits of 1.'Nature' [Calmady children], 2. William IV, 3. the Queen of Portugal, 4. Lady Lyndhurst, 5. a Persian ambassador, 6. Master Hope, 7. Archbishop of York, 8. Lady Peel, 9. Lady Hardwicke, 10. the Austrian Emperor, 11. Lady Blessington, 12. Lady Ashburton, 13. Lady Wilton, 14. Durham, 15. Lady Dover, 16. Lady Wallscourt, 17. Kemble, 18. Miss Murray, 19. Melbourne, 20. Blucher, 21. Master Lock, 22. Cardinal Consalvi, 23. 'Gipsy', 24. Master Lambton, 25. Pius VII, 26 Duchess of Sutherland, 27. George IV, 28. 'Dew Branch' [Ldy. Leicester], 29. J. Abernethy, 30. Wm. Grant, 31. Lady Georgina Fane, 32. Baring family, 33. Metternich, 34. Castlereagh, 35. J.P. Curran, 36. 'Red Riding Hood' [Miss Anderson], 37. Melville, 38. 'Rose Bud' [Ldy. Emily Cooper], 39. Walter Scott, 40. Wellington, 41. Lady Grosvenor, 42. Aberdeen, 43. J. Moore, 44. Eldon, 45. Duchess of Northumberland, 46. Anglesey, 47. Liverpool, 48. Archbishop of Canterbury, 49. Sam. Shepherd, 50. 'Faithful Friends'.
The plates are mezzotints.
Provenance
24 August 1836: Publisher's initial presentation [of first 3 numbers?] acknowledged (RA Council Minutes, VIII, 232).
23 March 1850: 'Order'd to purchase ... the remaining 9 numbers of Graves' Publication of Lawrence's portraits - price £9 9s.' (RA Council Minutes, X, 280).
Completed publication first listed in 1864 printed catalogue of the Library (p. 9).
H. Graves & Co.'s bill for £9 9s. was paid during the Christmas to Lady Day quarter of 1850 (see RA Accounts, Treasurer's Quarterly Abstract of Bills, RAA/TRE/1/4).
Binding Note
19th-century half green morocco, green cloth-covered boards; spine lettered 'The Works Of Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A.', 'R.A.' and 'London, 1836.'
Rulers - Statesmen - Bishops - Women - Celebrities - Europe - Great Britain - History - 19th century
Paintings - Portraits - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Mezzotints - Great Britain - 19th century