Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st Lord Penrhyn of Llandegai, 1841-42 (oil on canvas)

Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st Lord Penrhyn of Llandegai (1800 - 1886). A full-length portrait of the 1st Lord Penrhyn of Llandegai, at the front door of what resembles Penrhyn Castle, standing on the steps, but, curiously, with the coastal landscape background, imaginatively rendered, is painted in reverse, presuambly for compositional reasons. His right foot is placed on the lowest step and he is wearing a black frock coat and dark red waistcoat whilst holding his top hat in his right hand and stick in his left hand It was painted at Harewood House, Yorkshire, the family home of Lord Penrhyn's mother, Lady Frances Douglas. Edward Gordon Douglas, son of the Hon. John Douglas and grandson of the 14th Earl of Morton, married first, in 1833, Juliana Dawkins-Pennant, daughter of George Hay Dawkins-Pennant and heiress of Penrhyn. He married second, in 1846, Lady Maria Louisa Fitzroy. He took the name of Pennant by the will of his first wife's father, and was created Lord Penrhyn of Llandegai in 1866.This portrait was painted during the winter of 1841-2, when the painter and sitter were staying at Harewood. The portrait is described in the 1902 catalogue as `Considered a good likeness, but the expression does not indicate sufficient strength of character'.