Lord Ribblesdale
- Artist: John Singer Sargent
- Date: 1902
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the Lord Ribblesdale by John Singer Sargent. Painted in 1902, it's a portrait of Thomas Lister, who became the 4th and last Baron Ribblesdale at just 22 years old. At the time he painted it, Sargent was a highly regarded society portraitist, but this wasn't a commission - rather, he instigated it himself after being inspired by Lord Ribblesdale's public speech in 1894.
Notice how Lord Ribblesdale wears his own informal 'ratcatcher' hunting clothes, not the formal livery that was initially planned. This choice reveals something of his character, showcasing his practical and relaxed side. He holds a riding whip, wearing a pale yellow waistcoat, dark brown jacket, box-cloth breeches, grey kid gloves, and polished black leather boots.
Sargent's use of muted tones like black, yellow-ochre, and greenish grey creates an understated yet confident atmosphere. The only touch of bright colour is the thin line of red paint at the end of the whip's coiled cord.
The way Sargent has elongated Lord Ribblesdale's tall, lean body, reinforced by the perpendicular of the fluted pilaster behind him, emphasizes his stature. His compact silhouette and taut coat outlines further enhance this effect.
This portrait was highly praised when it was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1902, and it came to define how people perceived Lord Ribblesdale.
See it in person
Lord Ribblesdale hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, 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.
