George Augustus Frederick Henry (1789–1865), Viscount Newport, afterwards 2nd Earl of Bradford

This second portrait of George Augustus Frederick Henry Bridgeman at Weston Park shows him as Viscount Newport, before he succeeded to the Bradford earldom. Hayter painted multiple members of the Bridgeman family across several decades, and these accumulated portraits form a visual dynasty of one of Shropshire’s leading political families. The distinction between this and the Earl’s portrait may reflect different stages of the sitter’s political career.

Hayter differentiates this earlier likeness from the later Earl’s portrait through subtle differences in age and bearing. The brushwork is direct and efficient, characteristic of his preparatory portrait studies.