[1] The leader of the Portland Whigs he crossed to join the government of William Pitt the Younger (who had succeeded him as Prime Minister) in the wake of the French Revolution.

[2] The Bristol-born Lawrence had lived and worked in nearby Bath before moving to London where he rapidly established himself as a rising portraitist of high society.

He was around twenty three years old when he depicted Portland in this full-length portrait wearing the robes of a peer of the realm.

Portland had served as High steward of the city and the work was displayed in the Mansion House in Queen Square to celebrate this connection.

[4] The painting was narrowly saved from destruction during the 1831 Bristol riots, following the defeat of the second Reform Bill.