Attrib. Daniel Maclise RA Lord Morpeth Addresses the Electors

An original early 19th-century graphite drawing, Attrib. Daniel Maclise, Lord Morpeth Addresses the Electors.

A fine miniature sketch attributed to the artist Daniel Maclise RA (1806–1870). This is one of a pair of miniature sketches attributed to Maclise that we have for sale, with the provenance: William Drummond (Covent Garden Gallery, London).

This sketch appears to show the early-Victorian Whig aristocrat and politician George Howard (1802–1864), Lord Morpeth, addressing the electors. George Howard was the eldest son of Francis Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle, whose family seat was Castle Howard in Yorkshire. On the death of his grandfather in September 1825 he was granted the courtesy title Lord Morpeth. In 1826, the Earl of Carlisle arranged for his son to be elected for the constituency of Morpeth, one of the boroughs under his control, a post that Howard then left to become the Whig candidate for Yorkshire. He went on to serve as MP for Yorkshire from 1830 to 1832, and then the West Riding from 1832 to 1841 and again from 1846 to 1848. He was a supporter of religious tolerance, Catholic emancipation and parliamentary reform. Lord Morpeth was immensely popular, so much so that 'the name of Morpeth … was associated in the most intimate connection with the prosperity and well-being of Yorkshire'.

Daniel Maclise RA (1806–1870) was born in Cork, Ireland, into humble beginnings, but was determined to make a living as an artist. He moved to London in 1827 and exhibited for the first time at the Royal Academy in 1829. He went on to become a full member of the Academy in 1840. Painting historical and literary subjects, he also designed illustrations for several works by Dickens. in 1846 he was commissioned to paint murals in the House of Lords on such subjects as Justice and Chivalry. In 1858, Maclise commenced one of the two great monumental works of his life on the walls of Westminster Palace.

Provenance: William Drummond (Covent Garden Gallery, London).

Please note the small size of this artwork. One of a pair that we have for sale (see JZ-321).