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John Simpson studied at the Royal Academy Schools, and he was for many years one of Sir Thomas Lawrence's most active assistants, completing several of his unfinished portraits after his death in 1830. Simpson lived and worked in London, where he established a successful portrait painting practice with many eminent sitters to his name. In 1834 travelled to Portugal, where he was appointed portrait painter-in-ordinary to Maria II, Queen of Portugal . Portraits are sometimes about disguise or play-acting. This example shows an eighteenth-century sitter – John Simpson – in theatrical 'Van Dyck' style costume with slashed doublet, lace collar and extravagant plumed hat. Such seventeenth-century costume had been popular at fancy-dress parties as well as in portraiture since the 1730s.
Title
John Simpson
Date
c.1777
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 73.7 x W 61 cm
Accession number
1485
Acquisition method
Given by Charles Davis, 1908
Work type
Painting
National Portrait Gallery, London
St Martin’s Place, London, Greater London WC2H 0HE England
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