Portrait of John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon (1751-1838), seated three-quarter-length, in a black coat, a letter addressed to 'Lady Elizabeth Repton, New Norfolk Street' on a table to the left

Henry Perronet Briggs studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited at the Royal Academy almost every year between 1814 and his death in 1844. He was elected a member in 1832. His early output was dominated by historical paintings, but later on in his career he became more interested in portraiture, and among other important figures the Duke of Wellington and the actor Charles Kemble sat for him. Thackeray placed him first in his list of the best Victorian painters which he published in Fraser's Magazine in 1838. His posthumous studio sale was held at Christie's on 25-27 April 1844.