The Marquis of Salisbury (1791–1868)

Griffiths employs a layered oil technique, building texture through varied brushwork that renders the fabric’s sheen and the softness of the beard. A restrained colour scheme of browns, blacks, and gold creates depth, while subtle highlights model the facial features, giving the portrait a three‑dimensional presence.

Created while Griffiths was based in India, the painting later entered the holdings of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s 19th‑century interest in documenting notable British figures through contemporary portraiture.

The work belongs to a period when British portraiture often served both commemorative and political purposes, documenting the visages of influential leaders. Griffiths, better known for Orientalist scenes, applied his skill in rendering detail to this domestic genre, illustrating the cross‑cultural mobility of artists within the British Empire.