Who painted Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow?

Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow was painted by Frank Daniell in 1918.

Where can I see Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow?

Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow?

Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow?

Museum-quality prints of Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in <i>The Scarlet Pimpernel</i> by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow

Frank Daniell , 1918

Fred Terry as Sir Percy Blakeney in <i>The Scarlet Pimpernel</i> by Baroness Orczy and Montague Barstow is a paint painting by the Realist artist Frank Daniell. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This painting shows Fred Terry playing Sir Percy Blakeney from the 1905 adventure novel.

You see a man in a red coat, standing tall with a sly smile. His white cravat stands out against the dark background. He holds a red flower in his gloved hand.

This painting shows Fred Terry playing Sir Percy Blakeney from the 1905 adventure novel. Terry wears the costume Terry himself designed for the stage role. The artist, Frank Daniell, often painted actors in their famous parts.

Look up Frank Daniell next to learn more about his work.

Overview

Frank Daniell’s 1918 oil portrait captures the celebrated actor Fred Terry in his signature role as Sir Percy Blakeney, the heroic figure of Baroness Orczy’s adventure novel The Scarlet Pimpernel. Rendered against a dark backdrop, the composition emphasizes the vivid red coat, white cravat and a single red flower held in a gloved hand, conveying the character’s flamboyant yet daring persona.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts Terry’s theatrical interpretation of Sir Percy, a gentleman‑spy who disguises his revolutionary deeds beneath a polished aristocratic façade. By presenting the hero with a sly smile and a conspicuous flower, Daniell alludes to the duality of elegance and subterfuge that defines the Pimpernel’s narrative, while also highlighting the actor’s personal investment in the role.

Technique & Style

Daniell employs a realistic yet slightly romanticized style typical of early‑twentieth‑century portraiture of performers. The contrast between the luminous red coat and the muted background draws focus to the figure, while careful rendering of the white cravat and gloved hand demonstrates the artist’s attention to texture and fabric. The composition balances dramatic lighting with a restrained palette.

History & Provenance

Created in 1918, the painting was commissioned during the height of Terry’s popularity on the London stage, where he had designed his own costume for the production. Frank Daniell, known for a series of portraits of actors in celebrated roles, likely exhibited the work in theatrical circles before it entered private collections associated with the Terry family.

Context

The Scarlet Pimpernel, first published in 1905, quickly became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous stage adaptations. Terry’s portrayal contributed to the play’s success, and his self‑designed costume set a visual standard for subsequent productions. Daniell’s portrait thus serves as both a record of theatrical fashion and a snapshot of early twentieth‑century performance culture.