Who painted Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland?

Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland was painted by Roger Fenton in 1855.

Where can I see Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland?

Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland?

Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland

Roger Fenton , 1855

Lord Burghersh, Earl of Westmorland is a photography by the Impressionist artist Roger Fenton. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This portrait was made the same year he traveled to the Crimean War to take pictures—some of the first war photos ever.

This painting shows a man in a dark military uniform with gold trim, standing stiffly against a plain background. His face is serious, eyes fixed straight ahead.

Fenton was best known for his photographs, not paintings. This portrait was made the same year he traveled to the Crimean War to take pictures—some of the first war photos ever. The man in the painting, Lord Burghersh, was a British diplomat working on the war’s politics.

To see more of Fenton’s work, look up Roger Fenton (British, 1819–1869).

Overview

This portrait, executed in 1855, depicts Lord Burghersh, a British nobleman who served as ambassador to Austria and participated in diplomatic negotiations concerning the Crimean conflict. The sitter is shown in a dark military uniform edged with gold, his expression solemn and his gaze directed forward against an unadorned backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

Lord Burghersh (1784–1859) was a senior British diplomat and former soldier who, during the Crimean War, engaged with the Ottoman authorities on behalf of Britain. The portrait emphasizes his official capacity and the gravitas of his diplomatic role, underscored by the formal attire and restrained pose.

Technique & Style

The work is rendered with a tight, realistic approach typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century portraiture. Careful modeling of the uniform’s gold trim and the sitter’s facial features conveys a sense of authority, while the plain background isolates the figure, focusing attention on his presence.

History & Provenance

Created by Roger Fenton, primarily known for his pioneering war photography, the portrait coincides with his 1855 expedition to the Crimea to document the conflict. Though Fenton is celebrated for his photographic output, this painted likeness represents a rare example of his work in another medium.

Context

The portrait was produced at a time when Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire were allied against Russia in the Crimean War (1853–1856). As ambassador to Austria, Lord Burghersh’s diplomatic activities were part of the broader political maneuvering that underpinned the military campaign.