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English School, mid-19th Century after John Hoppner (British, 1758-1810) William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (1779-1848), in black doublet and ruff, wearing a ribbon Enamel on copper Oval, 76 mm. high, ormolu frame cast with cherubs
The sitter was the son of Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne and his wife Elizabeth, née Milbanke. He held several positions in the government including Home Secretary, Chief Secretary for Ireland and Leader of the House of Lords before serving as Prime Minister from 1835 to 1841. He became a close friend and confidante of Queen Victoria who, 40 years his junior, was quoted as saying that she considered him like a father. He tutored her in the art of politics and they spent a lot of time with each other at Windsor Castle. Melbourne married, in 1805, the novelist Lady Caroline Ponsonby, who later had a very public affair with Lord Byron. Melbourne's marriage to Caroline was a notorious disaster and his became associated with a number of scandals involing married women, including the wife of a close friend.
The present portrait derives from a painting by John Hoppner in the Royal Collection (RCIN 400973) and Melbourne is depicted in 'Montem' dress - the mock Tudor or Jacobean dress worn by Etonians during their leaving festivities. This would include a procession to the top of Montem Mound in Slough where they would unfurl a banner. 'Ad montem' translates as 'to the mountain'. After leaving Eton, Melbourne matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge.