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John James Napier Most Popular Paintings

The 8 artworks by John James Napier our visitors ask for most, ranked by popularity and presented one by one, with the specification and the price of each hand-painted reproduction.

Edition 2026 · 8 artworks Each artwork painted to order
Linen canvas · Certificate of authenticity · Delivered worldwide John James Napier · 1831 – 1877

John James Napier: Lady Hester Jane Francis Melville (1789–1864), Wife of Sir Cosmo Melville

1858 · British Library, London · original 109 x 85 cm

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #1: Lady Hester Jane Francis Melville (1789–1864), Wife of Sir Cosmo Melville

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 1 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$42085 × 109 cm Commission at original size

James Hamilton (d.1867), Regent Square Church, London

Westminster College, Cambridge · original 120 x 100 cm

Admire John James Napier’s 1867 portrait of James Hamilton, Regent Square Church. Victorian oil painting showcasing detail & solemnity. A captivating historical piece for art collectors.

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #2: James Hamilton (d.1867), Regent Square Church, London

Art Movement: Victorian Era Painting

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 2 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17727 × 37 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$499100 × 120 cm Commission at original size

The Right Honourable Sir John Mellor (1808–1887), Bt, Judge by John James Napier

1876 · Leicester Town Hall, Leicester · original 274 x 167 cm

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #3: The Right Honourable Sir John Mellor (1808–1887), Bt, Judge

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 3 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Sir John Robinson

National Portrait Gallery, London · original 71 x 56 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 4 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$26556 × 71 cm Commission at original size

The First Lesson the Artist's Wife, Janet Parker Vance Langmuir with their Children, Janet and James, John James Napier

1863 · Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh · original 142 x 89 cm

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #5: The First Lesson the Artist's Wife, Janet Parker Vance Langmuir with their Children, Janet and James

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 5 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17725 × 40 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$51889 × 142 cm Commission at original size

Sir James Cosmo Melvill (1858)

1858 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 127 x 102 cm

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #6: Sir James Cosmo Melvill

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 6 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$527102 × 127 cm Commission at original size

Reverend Dr Nathaniel Paterson

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh · original 127 x 102 cm

Color Palette: Earthy

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 7 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 35 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$527102 × 127 cm Commission at original size

John James Napier: Hester Jean Frances, Lady Melvill

1858 · National Portrait Gallery, London · original 127 x 103 cm

View the most popular artwork of John James Napier ranked #8: Hester Jean Frances, Lady Melvill

Technique: Hand-painted oil on linen canvas
Made: To order, by a trained painter
Popularity: No. 8 of 8 artworks by John James Napier
Delivery: Worldwide, about 5 weeks

from$17728 × 36 cm Commission this artwork

Same size as the original$531103 × 127 cm Commission at original size

The artist

John James Napier

1831 – 1877

Quick facts

Died1877
Works on APS8
Copyright statusPublic domain
Top-ranked workLady Hester Jane Francis Melville (1789–1864), Wife of Sir Cosmo Melville
NationalityUnited Kingdom
Top 3 worksLady Hester Jane Francis Melville (1789–1864), Wife of Sir Cosmo Melville, James Hamilton (d.1867), Regent Square Church, London, The Right Honourable Sir John Mellor (1808–1887), Bt, Judge

Biography

A Life in Portraiture

Born in Edinburgh in 1831, John James Napier was a Victorian portrait painter who became a prominent figure in the London art scene. After receiving formal training at the Edinburgh School of Art and Design, he relocated to London in 1859. His career was defined by his ability to capture the essence of familial relationships and the private sphere of Victorian society, often focusing on domestic interiors and scenes featuring mothers and children. His technical skill and emotional resonance earned him recognition within the Royal Academy and the British Institution.

Notable Works and Legacy

Napier's prolific output included numerous commissions for wealthy families, resulting in works that are held in various esteemed collections. His repertoire includes:

Lady Hester Jane Francis Melville (1789–1864), Wife of Sir Cosmo Melville (1858)
Sir James Cosmo Melvill (1858)
Hester Jean Frances, Lady Melvill (1858)
The First Lesson the Artist's Wife, Janet Parker Vance Langmuir with their Children, Janet and James (1863)
The Right Honourable Sir John Mellor (1808–1887), Bt, Judge (1876)
James Hamilton (d.1867)
Sir John Robinson
Reverend Dr Nathaniel Paterson

His work, such as the poignant Janet Parker Vance Langmuir, exemplifies a style focused on the complexities of human experience and familial bonds.

Questions & Answers

Where can I see the color profile of John James Napier's work?

John James Napier's use of color across the works listed on this website can be studied on the artist's Palette Genome page.

Is there a complete list of John James Napier's artworks?

Every work by John James Napier on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

In which movements did John James Napier work?

John James Napier's works can be browsed by movement on the artist's All Movements page.

By the WikiOO.org Editorial Team Updated Oct. 19, 2026

Collector's quiz

Where was John James Napier born?
In which year did Napier relocate to London?
Which institution's annual exhibitions helped solidify Napier's reputation?
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Which of these is a notable work by Napier mentioned in the text?

one You choose the size

Standard formats or any custom dimension, matched to the proportions of the original.

two We paint and send a preview

A photo of the finished canvas for your approval before it is shipped.

three Delivered, certified

Rolled, stretched or framed, insured, with a certificate of authenticity.

Commission your John James Napier

Every artwork by John James Napier in our catalog can be painted to order, in the size that suits the room.

All artworks by John James Napier