Charles Dickens

Samuel Laurence (1817 - 1884)

Charles Dickens Museum

1837 - 1839

Laurence was so proud of this portrait of the young Dickens that he kept it with him until his death. Beautifully worked, it depicts the author as he was when he lived and worked at 48 Doughty Street, now the Dickens House Museum. Dickens's dislike of the various workings of his face is well documented. Nevertheless he was quite satisfied with Laurence's portrayal, signing it and commissioning a second for himself. In its engraved form, it was the first portrait of him to be sold to the public. In April 1838 Dickens wrote to Laurence concerning another portrait, this time one of his wife who was at that time 'alarmingly ill'. As soon as Catherine recovered, her portrait was also undertaken. This portrait was a pair to the portrait of Catherine Dickens and the grant went towards the acquisition of both works.

• Medium: crayon & chalk
• Dimensions: 47 x 31cm
• Art Fund Grant: £3125 ( Total: £29,406)
• ArtFunded in: 1996
• Vendor: Sotheby's

Provenance

Horace N. Pym.

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