Robert Ingham Esq MP by George Hayter, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
George Hayter (1792-1871)
Robert Ingham Esq MP (1793-1875) 1838
Oil on panel
This study of the South Shields MP Robert Ingham was produced for a large group portrait, ‘The Meeting of the First Reform Parliament’ of 1832, which is now in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Ingham was Liberal MP for South Shields from 1832 to 1841, and again from 1852 to 1868. He was involved in religious and philanthropic activities in the town.
The artist, Sir George Hayter, specialised in portrait painting, especially large group portraits. Queen Victoria appointed him as Principal Painter in Ordinary, to produce portrait and history works, and also awarded him a knighthood in 1841. Here he shows Ingham as a striking and imposing character.
