Portraits in Oxford *

OP28
Edward VII, when Prince of Wales

Artist: by Sir John Watson-Gordon

Date: 1861

Medium: oil on canvas

Measurements: height 2438 mm. (96 in.) width 1448 mm. (57 in.)

Inscriptions:
at lower right: 'Sir John Watson Gordon R.A. & P.R.S.A. pinxit 1861'; 'Inscribed on the back, "No.1. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Painted by command of his Royal Highness for the University of Oxford by Sir John Watson Gordon, R.A. and P.R.S.A." ' (Lane Poole, 1, p.150, no.361)

Acquisition: gift from Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British dominions beyond the seas, and Emperor of India, 1867

Location: Examination Schools

Description:
Whole length, standing slightly to right on the tiled floor of a landing supposed to represent the head of the Hall staircase at Christ Church, facing viewer; youthful face; grey eyes, short light brown hair; white shirt and bow tie; black silk nobleman's undress gown over dress clothes; ribbon and Star of the Order of the Garter; his hands together in front hold college cap with gold tassel; behind, stone balustrade with carved lionhead; above to left gothic pier supporting roof.

'Painted by command of H.R.H. for the University of Oxford' (cited in the entry for the portrait in A. Graves, The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of contributors and their work from its foundation in 1769 to 1904, 8 vols, 1905). Given to the University by King Edward VII ' "in memory of his undergraduate days",' in 1867. (Cited in Lane Poole, I, p.150, no.361) 'The Vice Chancellor announced that the Portrait of the Prince of Wales had arrived in Oxford from Kensington - and he was requested to return thanks for the same.' (Hebdomadal Council Minutes, 9 Dec 1867, Oxford University Archives, HC/1/2/2 p.75)

A reduced size version, 'probably the study' for the portrait in Oxford, is in the University of Edinburgh's collection. The Prince of Wales matriculated as a student at the University of Edinburgh in July 1859, and spent three months following a course of study as a preliminary to entering the University of Oxford. (D Talbot Rice and P. McIntyre, The University Portraits, 1957, p.60, no.38)

Engraved by James Stephenson.

Exhibitions:
Royal Academy, 1862, no.199; Paris Exhibition, 1867; Victorian Exhibition, 1892, no.110

Literature:
G. Scharf, 'Trustee Sketchbooks', Oxon II, 1874, p.27 (National Portrait Gallery Archive, London); Catalogue of the Victorian Exhibition 1837-1897, New Gallery, London (1892), p.42; R. Lane Poole, Catalogue of Portraits in the possession of the University, Colleges, City, and County of Oxford, 3 vols (1912, 1925), I, p.150, no.361, reproduced; D Talbot Rice and P. McIntyre, The University Portraits (1957), p.60, no.38