John Larpent, Chief Clerk of the Northern Department, 1749 (c)

Oil on canvas attributed to Gabriel Mathias (1719-1804), 1749 (c).

Larpent (1710-1797) is shown three-quarter-length, seated, in a grey velvet suit and silver-embroidered blue waistcoat. He holds a quill in his right hand and a letter in his left.

The Northern Department was responsible for relations with the Northern Powers of Europe before becoming part of the Foreign Office in 1782. It was run by two Under-Secretaries and a Chief Clerk responsible for finance, with seven clerks.