William Mulready, by John Linnell

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Portrait of William Mulready

John Linnell

1833

Oil on panel

12 1/4 in. x 10 in. (311 mm x 254 mm)

Purchased, 1912

Primary Collection: NPG 1690

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Linnell and Mulready were good friends, and at one time (1808-09) both tenants of flats in a Bedford Square house. There were several portraits of Mulready, but "the best of those was painted by Mr. Linnell" (Stephens 109).

Image downloaded, with kind permission, and text by Jacqueline Banerjee.

Comments on Mulready's Character, by F. G. Stephens

Apart from his profession, Mulready was affectionately regarded by all who knew him, from the old fellow-student of sixty years before to the latest-admitted tyro of the Life Academy in Trafalgar Square. In society, full of anecdote and brimming with memories of men of note, earnest and simple, and steadily pursuing a well-considered plan of life, he was always an interesting companion. None could be a warmer friend; from his hands many secret charities flowed; no youth went in vain to him for counsel, many got substantial aid, and all obtained genial words. No wonder this man left grateful and loving thoughts where every student was almost a son. Active, vigorous, blithe, and kindly, a true gentleman in the best sense of the word, the great artist was equally the good friend and the pleasant companion, not only at the table and in front of the easel, but on the road, or on the river. "His humour and comic imitative power have kept a knot of his intimate friends in convulsions of laughter, on and off, during an evening, one of the party falling upon the carpet and rolling." So said Samuel Palmer, the poet-painter and friend of Mulready, Blake, and Linnell, in a note to me (2).

Bibliography

Stephens, Frederic George. Memorials of William Mulready. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1890. Internet Archive. Contributed by the Getty Research Institute. Web. 7 February 2021.

Created 7 February 2021