The Last Chronicle of Barset · Character

Conway Dalrymple

A charming young portrait painter climbing London society, whose talent for flattery and appetite for gilt sugarplums lead him into dangerous romantic territory.

supporting

Also known as Dalrymple, Mr. Conway Dalrymple, Conway

First appearance: Mrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-Party

As a supporting figure in The Last Chronicle of Barset, Conway Dalrymple is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A fashionable portrait painter who has painted Mrs.

In the storyMrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-PartyOpen this moment free

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Conway Dalrymple has risen from drinking threepenny beer to painting duchesses and dining at fashionable Bayswater tables, his portraits celebrated for their narrative flair. His friendship with John Eames and his intimacy with the Broughton household place him at the center of a circle where art, money, and desire blur. When he becomes entangled with the beautiful but married Mrs. Dobbs Broughton, his easy charm threatens to curdle into something far more compromising.

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See Conway Dalrymple in Mrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-Party

Character Web

30 connections

A slice of how Conway Dalrymple sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central plot characters
Barchester clergy and wives

+25 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when John Eames, after years of unrequited love f…

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Relationships

Mrs. Proudie
professional · ambivalent
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. How this plays out →
Clara Van Siever
romantic · positive
Mrs. Proudie
professional · ambivalent
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. How this plays out →
Clara Van Siever
romantic · positive
Mrs. Proudie
professional · ambivalent
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. How this plays out →
Clara Van Siever
romantic · positive

Mrs. Proudie
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. Proudie in the context of painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, navigating her domineering presence.
Clara Van Siever
Clara Van Siever and Conway Dalrymple share a flirtatious and ultimately romantic relationship, complicated by her mother's ambitions.
Mrs. Proudie
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. Proudie in the context of painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, navigating her domineering presence.
Clara Van Siever
Clara Van Siever and Conway Dalrymple share a flirtatious and ultimately romantic relationship, complicated by her mother's ambitions.
Mrs. Proudie
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. Proudie in the context of painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, navigating her domineering presence.
Clara Van Siever
Clara Van Siever and Conway Dalrymple share a flirtatious and ultimately romantic relationship, complicated by her mother's ambitions.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Conway Dalrymple in Mrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-Party

In the story

Conway Dalrymple appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-Party
A fashionable portrait painter who has painted Mrs. Dobbs Broughton as a Grace; he is seated next to Miss Van Siever at dinner and considers her handsome but hard, thinking of painting her as Jael.
Miss Madalina Demolines
Painter at work in his studio; discusses Eames's love life and shows a sketch of a Jael and Sisera scene intended for a portrait of Clara Van Siever.
The Picture
Visits Mrs. Broughton to discuss his painting of Jael and Sisera, using Clara Van Siever as a model; flirts with Mrs. Broughton but is pushed to consider marrying Clara.
Jael
Flattered by Mrs. Broughton's attention, considers marrying Clara Van Siever, and agrees to paint Jael in her house.
A New Flirtation
Mentioned as painting Clara Van Siever as Jael, which Miss Demolines considers improper.
The Bayswater Romance
Johnny visits him late at night; Dalrymple warns Johnny that his flirtation with Madalina may lead to an engagement.
Mrs. Dobbs Broughton Piles Her Fagots
Continues painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, growing weary of Mrs. Broughton's theatrical demands while contemplating marriage to Clara.
The End of Jael and Sisera
Destroys his own painting of Clara to appease Mrs. Van Siever, then offers financial help to Mrs. Broughton while trying to arrange a private meeting with Clara.
The Tragedy in Hook Court
Learns of Dobbs Broughton's suicide and must inform Mrs. Broughton; reflects on his own folly.
Miss Van Siever Makes Her Choice
Proposes to Clara Van Siever, relinquishing hopes of her fortune, and discusses Mrs. Broughton's financial situation.

Chapter companion notes

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See Conway Dalrymple in Mrs. Dobbs Broughton's Dinner-Party