Mr Bradlaugh at the Bar of the House of Commons
Walter Richard Sickert 1860 - 1942
Summary
A full length, left side portrait of the radical politician Charles Bradlaugh. He is standing at the bar of the House of Commons, and holding onto the Bar of the House of Commons with his left hand. Glass panelled doors are visible in the background.
Display Label
Charles Bradlaugh at the Bar of the House of Commons 1891 Walter Richard Sickert 1860-1942 Oil on canvas Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891) was elected as the Liberal MP for Northampton in 1880. As a radical freethinker and an atheist, for his swearing-in he had requested to make an affirmation omitting reference to God. Denied this, he expressed his willingness to take the oath. His political opponents refused, on the grounds that his oath would be meaningless. Here he stands alone, inside the doors of the House of Commons but officially barred from entering. He fought this legal trap for 6 years. When finally in Parliament, Bradlaugh became a champion for the people of India, then under British rule but unrepresented. Bradlaugh also founded the National Secular Society, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Gift of the Manchester Branch of the National Secular Society 1911.49
Object Name
Mr Bradlaugh at the Bar of the House of Commons
Creators Name
Date Created
1891
Dimensions
unframed: 228.4cm x 121.6cm
framed: 264cm x 157.4cm
accession number
1911.49
Place of creation
England
Support
canvas
Medium
oil paint
On Display
Manchester Art Gallery - atrium - first floor
View all
Legal
© Manchester Art Gallery
.jpg)
.jpg)
