Jem Belcher
- Artist: George Smeeton
- Date: circa 1812-1813
- Medium: hand-coloured etching
- Dimensions: Long Term Loan
- Portrays: James ('Jem') Belcher
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is “Jem Belcher”, a hand‑coloured etching made around 1812–1813, probably published by printer George Smeeton. The image shows the young boxer's head and upper torso, his eyes fixed forward, his expression calm yet alert. Notice how the ink lines define the musculature of his chest and shoulders, while the subtle hand‑coloured highlights give a gentle wash to skin and cloth.
The etching’s line work is crisp, but the colours are applied by hand, giving the portrait a warm tone that was common in early 19th‑century prints. The sitter, James “Jem” Belcher (1781–1811), was a noted boxer of the time; this is one of two portraits he made.
Because it’s an etching, you can see faint cross‑hatching where the light falls on his cheek and the shadowed bandages of a glove. The print captures him in profile, as if he were about to step into the ring, while the background remains simple so the focus stays on his face.
See it in person
Jem Belcher is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
