Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) Prime Minister

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Downing Street

This portrait is a three-quarter length version of the full-length original, from the sitter's collection, painted in 1740 and now in the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg. Many other versions exist, including two in the Government Art Collection.

Although records at the Government Art Collection suggest this portrait might have been purchased in 1946, a similar work is known to have been in Downing Street throughout much of the 19th century. It may be that this is in fact one of the six works in the 'Downing Street Collection', which can be seen in late victorian prints showing the Cabinet Room at 10 Downing Street.

Jean Baptiste van Loo was born in Aix-en-Provence to a family of Flemish painters. He worked in the south of France until 1714, when he travelled to northern Italy and Rome, and settled in Paris in 1720. While in Paris, he established himself as a portrait painter in the circle of the Regent, Philippe d'Orléans, and also painted a portrait of Louis XV. In 1731, he became a member of the Académie Royale. In 1737, van Loo moved to England, where he was patronised by Prime Minister Robert Walpole. In 1742, after a year’s ill-health, van Loo returned to Aix and his later life was divided between Paris and Aix. Today, his works are in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, London; the Louvre, Paris; and the Hermitage, St. Petersburg.

People

Robert, 1st Earl of Orford Walpole (1676 - 1745)

Places

Subjects

scroll (as Subject), male portrait, man, 18th century costume, ceremonial costume, chancellor's robe, bands, riband, tassel, Chancellor's Purse, Order of the Garter, Order of the Bath, Earl, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Privy Counsellor, Prime Minister

Materials & Techniques

canvas, oil, oil painting

Artist

Jean Baptiste van, (Studio) Loo

Title

Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford (1676-1745) Prime Minister

Date

c.1740

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

height: 125.00 cm, width: 105.00 cm

Acquisition

Possibly purchased August 1946

GAC number

7