Portrait of John Donne

English

National Portrait Gallery

circa 1595

A portrait of the metaphysical poet John Donne (1572-1631) playing the role of a melancholic lover. Donne was one of the most talented writers of the Elizabethan age and his poetry, essays and sermons were widely celebrated following publication after his death. The playwright Ben Johnson thought that Donne had written all his best poetry before the age of twenty-five and this portrait dates from this period of intense creativity. The painting was acquired after a successful public campaign.

• Medium: oil on panel
• Dimensions: 72.4 x 60cm
• Art Fund Grant: £200000 ( Total: £1,400,000; Tax Remission)
• ArtFunded in: 2006
• Vendor: Executors of the late Marquis of Lothian

Provenance

Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Ancram (1578-1654); by direct descent to the late Marquis of Lothian.

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