Late 19th century photographic engraving of a portrait of Robert Bakewell (1725-1795), by John Boultbee, c.1788-1791

The item is a mounted black and white reproduction of a painting of Robert Bakewell, who is wearing a greatcoat and wide-brimmed hat and sitting astride his horse (said to be named 'Minty'). They are in a meadow, with buildings and cows in the distance.

It was manufactured by the Walker and Boutall Photographic Society (a photographic engraving firm based at 16 Cliffords Inn, London E.C. from 1888-1900), from a painting then in the possession of J.S. Bakewell esquire.

The name of the artist of the original painting is not given, and a signature is not visible; however, the painting is very similar to a portrait in oils by the artist John Boultbee, dated c.1788-91, which is now held at the National Portrait Gallery in London, and available on their website. The National Portrait Gallery version includes a pet dog which is not present in this portrait. According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, another portrait by John Boultbee is held at the Leicester Museum and Art Gallery; this item may be a reproduction of that painting.

Dimensions: 12 cm x 14 cm (mounted 22 cm x 29.5 cm)

Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) was a gentleman farmer of Dishley, Leicestershire, whose innovatory methods of livestock breeding and natural feeding contributed greatly to the improvement of breeds of sheep and livestock in Britain. He was the founder of the Dishley Sheep Society.

No archival arrangement has been necessary.

Accessible to all readers.

This description is the only finding aid available for the print. Copyright in the description belongs to The University of Nottingham.

Good

Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Keeper of Manuscripts and Special Collections (email mss-library@nottingham.ac.uk).

Reprographic copies can be supplied for educational use and private study purposes only, depending on access status and the condition of the documents.

The item was given to The University of Nottingham's Department of Manuscripts and Special Collections in July 2000.

Records of the Dishley Sheep Society (MS 9)