Sir Charles Lock Eastlake (1793-1865)

Photograph showing a full length portrait of Sir Charles Eastlake standing facing front, his right hand by his side and his left arm resting on plinth. He poses with his feet crossed.

Sir Charles Locke Eastlake was an English painter, gallery director, collector and writer of the early 19th century. His paintings were mostly historical or biblical, set in Mediterrean landscapes. He was the National Gallery's first Keeper in 1843 and later Director in 1855. He married Elizabeth Rigby, an art historian and translator of German art histories. After being knighted in 1850 Eastlake became an important establishment figure, including becoming first President of the Photographic Society in 1853. There are a number of his paintings in the Royal Collection including, Group of Angels (RCIN 403673), Zia Theresa (RCIN 405854), The Gold Samaritan (RCIN 408935) and The Sisters (RCIN 408970).