1843-44 OWEN'S PORTRAIT FOR DRAYTON 247 



the collection which I have formed of the portraits 

 of the eminent men of my own time. I should 

 very much like to have, as a pendant to that of 

 Cuvier, the portrait of Professor Owen. 



' My demand, of course, is only upon the time 

 of those whom I can prevail upon to sit for me, 

 but it is a heavy demand upon one so fully occu- 

 pied as Professor Owen. 



' I am unwilling to write to him directly, for 

 his kindness might lead him to acquiesce in a 

 request on my part which may be inconvenient 

 to him. 



1 Do you think he could spare the time to sit ? 

 He can without hesitation answer you if you will 

 write to him. 



k I should ask Pickersgill, who painted Cuvier, 

 to paint the pendant.' 



This suggestion was acted upon by Buckland, 

 and the picture was ultimately added to Sir 

 Robert Peel's gallery at Drayton. Sir Robert 

 was anxious that Owen should be painted in a 

 sitting posture, ' whereat poor Pick, was troubled,' 

 Owen writes, ' as sitting will not suit the subject 

 as well as standing, on account of the robe.' 



