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Spencer had a great interest in literature and early printing, amassing a collection of some 40,000 books. Alongside this he was President of the Royal Institution between 1813 and 1825.
The painting of this portrait, with the intention of it being donated to the Royal Institution, was organised by the artist and Michael Faraday in 1832. The elderly Spencer agreed to sit but due to his bad health the portrait took over a year to complete.
Title
George John (1758–1834), 2nd Earl Spencer
Date
1833
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 78 x W 65.3 cm
Accession number
RIIC 0065
Acquisition method
presented by the artist, 1833
Work type
Painting