Detail from The Canal, Amsterdam, 1889, James McNeill Whistler, The Hunterian, University of Glasgow

 

Portrait of Sir Henry Cole

Titles

Only one title has been suggested:

  • 'Portrait of Sir Henry Cole' (1980, YMSM). 1

Description

Alan Summerly Cole (1846-1934) described it as 'a nearly life size portrait of my father.' 2

Sitter


                    Sir Henry Cole, C.B., photograph, Victoria and Albert Museum E.207-2005
Sir Henry Cole, C.B., photograph, Victoria and Albert Museum E.207-2005

Henry Cole (1808-1882) .

Sir Henry Cole KCB studied watercolour painting under the landscape painter David Cox (1783-1859) and was interested in engraving and etching. In 1831 he was appointed to the record commission, which in 1838 set up the Public Records Office; in 1851 he became secretary to the School of Design and from 1857 to 1873 was concerned with the development of the Department of Science and Art at South Kensington Museum.

In the winter of 1881-1882 Whistler started another portrait, Portrait of Sir Henry Cole [YMSM 233], but it has also disappeared.

Notes:

1: YMSM 1980 [more] (cat. no. 180).

2: Diary, 19 May 1876, GUW #13132.

Last updated: 13th November 2019 by Margaret