Charles Stewart Hardinge

A keen amateur artist, Charles Stewart Hardinge accompanied his father to India, appointed Governor-General of India in 1844, as his private secretary. Charles lived in India during his father’s tenure documenting the Indian life and landscape. In a January 1847 letter to his half-brother he mentioned being flattered to being a contributor to the Royal Album, perhaps referring to a group of paintings that was in possession of the British Crown.

Upon his return to England, he became an active conservative politician, and was elected into the House of Lords. Charles. He was considered prolific in watercolour by many artistic associations and exhibited his paintings from 1849 to 1880. He wrote a book titles ‘Rulers of India’ series. In 1868 he was appointed a trustee of the National Portrait Gallery and in 1876, chairman of the trustees, an office he filled actively till his death.