Arthur James Balfour (1848-1930) was a pivotal figure in British politics from the 1880s to the late 1920s.

He was Prime Minister from 1902-1905. During his time as Foreign Secretary from 1916-1919 he oversaw the Balfour Declaration which supported the establishment of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Sargent portrays him as a sad philosopher and a sad statesman. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

Provenance

Commissioned by the Carlton Club, London.


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