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Portrait of the architect James Wyatt, RA (1746-1813)
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Charles Turner ARA (1774 - 1857), engraver
After Matthew Coates Wyatt (1777 - 1862)
James Wyatt's son.
After Matthew Coates Wyatt (1777 - 1862)
James Wyatt's son.
Portrait of the architect James Wyatt, RA (1746-1813)
Mezzotint
Museum number: P164
On display: Breakfast Room
All spaces are in No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields unless identified as in No. 12, Soane's first house.
For tours https://www.soane.org/your-visit
Curatorial note
James Wyatt was a rival of Robert Adam and one of a family of architects. He achieved instant success at an early age with his design for the domed 'Pantheon' on Oxford Street, which opened in 1772. He went on to design the Brocklesby and Darnley mausolea and Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire as well as numerous other town and country houses, churches and garden buildings. He designed the tavern owned by Joseph Michael Gandy's father. There he spotted the talent of Gandy, who later became Soane's draughtsman. From 1770 he was an Associate of the Royal Academy and became a member in 1785. In 1805 he was elected President of the Royal Academy replacing the American painter Benjamin West for one year (West was re-elected the following year). Soane knew Wyatt and noted his shock at his death, in a carriage accident near Marlborough, in September 1813, in his diary.
The original portrait is in the collection of the Royal Academy, London.
The original portrait is in the collection of the Royal Academy, London.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk