George Otto Trevelyan, Bt, OM, Honorary Fellow, Politician and Author 1886

Frank Holl painted this portrait of George Otto Trevelyan in oils on canvas, sometime in the late 19th century. The image speaks to the established social hierarchies of Victorian England, with portraiture being one of the means by which status was asserted and maintained. Trevelyan was an active Liberal politician. As such, this portrait might be read as both a personal record and a statement about the political values of self-improving meritocracy. Holl was a successful portraitist, and his technique—visible brushwork, restrained palette—emphasizes Trevelyan's humanity. To further understand the historical context of this work, scholars might consult archival sources such as letters, diaries, newspapers, and political pamphlets. These resources can reveal how art served as a tool for shaping public perception, and negotiating social and political change.