Artwork

W. H. Furness

W. H. Furness, by Albert Rosenthal, 1896
W. H. Furness, by Albert Rosenthal, 1896

W. H. Furness is a print by the Impressionist artist Albert Rosenthal. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Below the portrait, two small sketches show a building with columns on the left and a church-like structure on the right.

This is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a bald head and a white wig. He’s wearing a dark coat with high collar, looking off to the side with a serious expression. Below the portrait, two small sketches show a building with columns on the left and a church-like structure on the right.

The signature reads *Albert Rosenthal*, and the date in the corner matches 1896. The artist used soft shading to show light and shadow on the man’s face.

Next, check out *The Cleveland Museum of Art* to see more works by Rosenthal.

Overview

Albert Rosenthal, a Philadelphia‑based portraitist and printmaker, produced a black‑and‑white portrait titled *W. H. Furness* in 1896. The work presents an older gentleman, bald and wearing a white wig, dressed in a dark high‑collared coat, his gaze directed to the side. It is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The sitter, identified as W. H. Furness, is rendered with a sober expression, suggesting a dignified, perhaps professional stature. The inclusion of two small sketches beneath the main image—one of a columned building and another resembling a church—may allude to Furness’s architectural or civic associations, though the portrait itself remains a straightforward representation.

Technique & Style

Rosenthal employed soft chiaroscuro in the etching, using delicate gradations of tone to model the face and convey subtle lighting. The composition follows the conventions of late‑19th‑century American portraiture, favoring a restrained pose, clear line work, and minimal background detail, allowing focus on the sitter’s features.

History & Provenance

Created in 1896, the print bears Rosenthal’s signature and date in the lower corner. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified later date, where it remains accessible for study and exhibition as part of the museum’s American prints collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Albert Rosenthal

Albert Rosenthal (January 30, 1863 – December 20, 1939) was an American portrait artist, printmaker, writer, and collector from Philadelphia.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.