Charles Stewart Parnell
- Artist: Mary Grant
- Date: 1892
- Medium: plaster
- Dimensions: 29 1/2 in. (749 mm) high
- Portrays: Charles Stewart Parnell
- Museum: The National Portrait Gallery
- Collection record: The National Portrait Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is a plaster cast of a bust, finished in 1892 by the sculptor Mary Grant (1831‑1908). The piece stands almost three feet tall, its polished surface catching light just enough to bring out the details of Parnell’s head and neck. You can see his sharp profile: a straight line from brow to jaw, a thoughtful set to the mouth that hints at the man’s public demeanor.
The bust shows Parnell in his prime: clean hair, clear eyes and a dignified posture that suggests both confidence and earnestness. Mary Grant worked from earlier plaster models; her technique gives the face a smooth texture that feels almost alive.
Charles Stewart Parnell was a charismatic Irish nationalist who led the Home‑Rule movement in the late 19th century. He was often called the “King of Ireland,” though his career ended with a personal scandal and his death in 1891. The portrait, acquired by the National Portrait Gallery in 1897, is one of many that capture this pivotal figure’s appearance and character.
See it in person
Charles Stewart Parnell is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery at St Martin's Place, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
