This portrait depicts Henry Lascelles, the 2nd Earl of Harewood, standing in the Harewood landscape.

The background itself is based on Thomas Girtin’s view of the estate from the South West, with Lawrence having borrowed this watercolour to complete the picture.

This portrait was commissioned by land owners (the voting class) in York, in recognition of the sitter’s position as MP for the county of Yorkshire as a younger man.

The 2nd Earl is best known for his participation in the closely contested 1807 general election, where he lost his seat in favour of the abolitionist William Wilberforce and the Whig politician Lord Milton. Though the election was fought on a number of issues, increasing support for the abolition of slavery made Henry unpopular.

As the son of a West Indian plantation owner, he was considered a supporter of the slave trade and opponents argued that Henry might repeal the recent Abolition Act, despite his claims to the contrary. Over 20 years later, following the 1833 Slavery Abolition Act, the 2nd Earl received over £20,000 (equivalent to about 2.5 million pounds in today’s money) from the British Government in compensation for the freedom of 1277 enslaved people in his ownership. Nothing was paid to the liberated individuals.