"Sir Charles James Freake, 1st Barnonet — by "T" (Théobald Chartran), 31 March 1883

Sir Charles James Freake

"T" (Théobald Chartran)

31 March 1883

Watercolour on blue paper

11 7/8 in. x 7 1/8 in. (301 mm x 182 mm) overall

Vanity Fair

Source: © National Portrait Gallery, London

NPG 2574

Signed in monogram bottom right: "T"

Almost 69 at this time, and newly honoured with his baronetcy, Freake looks self-assured, solid in girth and stance, without any affectation of refinement. Like many a self-made man, he was not just at ease with his lowly origins, but proud of having risen from them to his present standing. [Commentary continues below. Mouse over the text for links.]

Image downloaded, and caption material added, with thanks to the gallery, by Jacqueline Banerjee [Click on the image to enlarge it.]

Elizabeth Heath explains that Chartran replaced James Tissot as caricaturist in 1878, who remained in the role until leaving London in 1884 to continue serving as society portraitist in Paris and New York. The gallery also explains that the present work "was purchased, with 40 other sketches for Vanity Fair, in 1933 from the Fulham art dealer Thomas Cubitt, who submitted them to the National Portrait Gallery for inspection. This was the first batch of drawings of this type to be acquired by the NPG."

Links to Related Material

Bibliography

Heath, Elizabeth. "This Portrait" (Extended Catalogue Entry). National Portrait Gallery, London. Web. 2 February 2024.

Created 2 February 2024