It is strange that there are not more images of Beau Brummell from the height of his popularity in London (1799-1816). Images associated with Brummell are often of unclear provenance or were produced after his death. Below are the images with the most reliable relationship with Brummell.
Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland, William Brummell, 1794. Cheffins Auction House.
Father of Beau Brummell
Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland, Mary Brummell, née Richardson, 1784. Christie’s Auction House.
Mother of Beau Brummell
Sir Joshua Reynolds, The Brummell Children, 1782. Kenwood House, London.
George (later nicknamed “Beau”) and his older brother William, commissioned by their father William Brummell (a friend of Reynolds). Exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1783. This is the only image of Brummell known to have been painted from life.
Richard Dighton, Beau Brummell, 1805. Private Collection.
The provenance of this watercolor is unknown, but if the date is accurate, it would make it the only known image of Brummell made during his fashionable reign in London (1799-1816).
Richard Dighton, The Dandy Club, 1818. British Museum.
While none of the caracture images in this print have been identified as Brummell, it is a notable image for a few reasons: first, the illustrator, Dighton, also painted the only surviving likeness of Brummell from his time in London (see above). Second, Watier’s, known as “The Dandy Club” was founded by the Prince of Wales, with Brummell elected president for life. This cartoon was published just two years after Brummell fled to France.
D.C.W., “Beau Brumell,” 1838. British Museum.
Inscription: Eheu! quam mutatus (Alas! How changed!) This image has been interpreted as Brummell in a wig, with a cheap black stock and bad teeth. Brummell died in 1840; this is likely the last image of him produced in his lifetime. It is unknown if it was drawn from life, or if the artist had met Brummell.
Print by John William Cook, published by Richard Bently, frontispiece to Captain Jesse’s “The Life of George Brummell,” published in 1844. Inscription below image: “Engraved from the original miniature, by John Cook.”
This engraving was published after Brummell’s death, but the source of the original miniature is unknown.
R.H. Cooke. Beau Brummell (At Caen). Frontispiece to Captain Jesse’s The Life of Beau Brummell.
This illustration was published after Brummell’s death, and it is unknown if Brummell was known to the artist.