Sir Henry William Lucy

Sir Henry William Lucy of 1904 depicts one of the most well-known parliamentary journalists of the Victorian and Edwardian eras — Lucy wrote the long-running 'Diary of Toby, M.P.' column for Punch magazine, providing satirical commentary on Parliament for decades. His portrait by Sargent signals the extension of Sargent's portrait practice beyond the purely aristocratic and military to include the world of letters and journalism. Lucy's work had given him celebrity and social access to the highest circles, making this commission natural in the world Sargent inhabited.

The portrait of a journalist and literary figure allows a somewhat less formally imposing treatment than Sargent's military or aristocratic commissions — Lucy's personality and intellectual character are as important as his social rank. The handling is warm and direct, the face rendered with attention to the humour and intelligence of a celebrated wit. The pose is relaxed relative to his more formal commissions.