The National Gallery, London, decided to acquire an exceptionally important painting by one of the finest European portraitists of the early 19th century. The painting is being offered from a private collection by private treaty sale via Christie’s, at a special price of £ 9.3 million.
The artwork is: Portrait of Charles William Lambton (1818 – 31), also know as “The Red Boy”, by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830).
The artwork made in 1825 by Lawrence, one of the first trustees of the National Gallery, was at the height of his powers as painter and portraitist, a year after the Gallery opened to the public in 1824. Such is its status, in 1967 ‘The Red Boy’ was the first painting ever to be included on a British postage stamp.
The National Gallery shall pay in installments and will assume legal title (fully own the painting) when the full purchase price has been paid before the end of December 2021.
“The Red Boy” will undergo conservation treatment before going on display at the National Gallery early 2022. The National Gallery is grateful to Christie’s for their support in ensuring this work joins the nation’s collection.
Sir Thomas Lawrence
Charles William Lambton 1825, cm h 137.2 x w 111.8 unframed
From a Private collection to the National Gallery, London
Image (c) National Gallery, London.
by Alain Chivilò
The artwork is: Portrait of Charles William Lambton (1818 – 31), also know as “The Red Boy”, by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830).
The artwork made in 1825 by Lawrence, one of the first trustees of the National Gallery, was at the height of his powers as painter and portraitist, a year after the Gallery opened to the public in 1824. Such is its status, in 1967 ‘The Red Boy’ was the first painting ever to be included on a British postage stamp.
The National Gallery shall pay in installments and will assume legal title (fully own the painting) when the full purchase price has been paid before the end of December 2021.
“The Red Boy” will undergo conservation treatment before going on display at the National Gallery early 2022. The National Gallery is grateful to Christie’s for their support in ensuring this work joins the nation’s collection.
Sir Thomas Lawrence
Charles William Lambton 1825, cm h 137.2 x w 111.8 unframed
From a Private collection to the National Gallery, London
Image (c) National Gallery, London.
by Alain Chivilò