James Smithson as Oxford Student

Summary

Photograph of an oil on canvas portrait of James Smithson in cap and gown, while a student at Pembroke College, Oxford, painted by James Roberts (1753 -c.1809) in 1786. Smithson attend Pembroke College, Oxford, 1782-1786. Painting was purchased in 1850 from the widow of John Fitall, Smithson's former servant to whom he had granted an annuity. The original painting is located in the National Portrait Gallery.

Subject

• Fitall, John
• Smithson, James 1765-1829
• Roberts, James 1753 -c. 1809
• Fitall, Mrs. John
• Pembroke College (Oxford University)
• Oxford University

Category

Historic Images of the Smithsonian

Notes

• See Smithson at Oxford engraving for another version. See also SIA RU 7000 and RU 95, B21, F1-A which has photo of painting in frame, neg. #72-3961. Same portrait as #MAH 9077, #10614, 72-3961and #72-3961-A.
• The collar Smithson is wearing on his gown indicates he has a Master of Arts degree which he received in May 1786.

Contained within

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 95, Box 21, Folder: 1-A

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

1880

Restrictions & Rights

No restrictions

Topic

• Art
• Benefactors
• Smithson family
• Philanthropists
• Portraits
• Art objects

Form/Genre

• Photographic print
• Portraits

ID Number

10192 or AI-10192

Physical description

Color: Black and White; Size: 8 x 10; Type of Image: Portrait; Medium: Photographic Print

Full Record

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