Portraits in Oxford *

OP30
George Nathaniel Curzon, first Marquess Curzon of Kedleston

Artist: by Sir Hubert von Herkomer, completed by George Harcourt

Date: 1914

Medium: oil on canvas

Measurements: height 1651 mm. (65 in.) width 1270 mm. (50 in.)

Acquisition: gift from Lady Margaret von Herkomer, 1914

Location: Examination Schools

Description:
Three-quarter length, seated to left, facing viewer; short smooth brown hair; large lace cravat; heavy black brocaded silk Chancellor's robe with gold lace trimming on collar, facings, and sleeves, over black clothes; his right hand rests on the arm of his chair, his left on a large paper which lies on a carved oak table slightly to the right before him; dark brown background.

In 1907, Lord Curzon nominated Herkomer, who was Ruskin Professor of Fine Art from 1885 to 1894, for an honorary doctorate in civil law (DCL): 'Your services both to Art and the University have been so conspicuous that Oxford, while conferring on you the highest honour at her disposal, will also feel that she is being honoured in return.' (Life and Letters of Sir Hubert Herkomer, ed. by J. Saxon Mills, 1923, p.292)

The portrait was unfinished when Herkomer died on 31 March 1914, and was completed by his pupil, George Harcourt. It was presented to the University by the artist's widow: 'An offer was received from Lady Herkomer of a portrait of the Chancellor. It was agreed that the offer be accepted.' (Hebdomadal Council Papers, Acts, 12 Oct 1914, Oxford University Archives, HC 1/1/99, p.x)

Literature:
R. Lane Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the possession of the University, Colleges, City, and County of Oxford, 3 vols (1912, 1925), III, p.312, no.18; L. MacCormick Edwards, ‘Herkomer, Sir Hubert von (1849-1914)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (2004), [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/33836]