Wednesday, June 3, 2026 · No. 153
National Portrait Gallery Acquires Only Known Photographs of Ada Lovelace via Bonhams Private Treaty Sale
Photo by Andrea De Santis on Pexels

National Portrait Gallery Acquires Only Known Photographs of Ada Lovelace via Bonhams Private Treaty Sale

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Wednesday, June 3, 2026 · 1 min read
Acquisition Bonhams

The National Portrait Gallery in London has acquired three rare daguerreotypes of mathematician and computing pioneer Ada Lovelace from Bonhams. The acquisition includes two portraits by Antoine Claudet taken circa 1843 and a third by an unknown photographer reproducing a painting by Henry Wyndham Phillips. The sale was facilitated through a private treaty agreement, allowing the institution to acquire the works at a tax-incentivized price.

  • Artists: Antoine Claudet, Henry Wyndham Phillips, Thomas Phillips
  • People: Ada Lovelace, Lord Byron, Louise Williamson, Matthew Haley, Tim Lindholm, Lucy Gaylord Lindholm
  • Auction Houses: Bonhams
  • Museums: National Portrait Gallery
  • Locations: London
Originally via Bonhams · Curated by The Cultural Signal
Photo by Andrea De Santis on Pexels

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