Artwork
Lord Byron (1788-1824)
Lord Byron (1788-1824) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Alfred Guillaume Gabriel d'Orsay. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing was made in 1823, when people often sketched famous figures on the spot.
This sketch shows a man in a long coat and tall hat, leaning on a cane. His hair is curly, and he’s standing on a raised platform with columns behind him. The lines are loose and quick, like a rough draft.
The artist captured the man’s confident stance with just a few strokes. This drawing was made in 1823, when people often sketched famous figures on the spot.
Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more sketches like this.
Overview
This 1823 drawing by Alfred Guillaume Gabriel d'Orsay depicts Lord Byron in a full-length portrait. Created with pencil, it showcases the artist's ability to capture the subject's likeness with swift, expressive lines.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows Lord Byron standing on a raised platform with a balustrade, dressed in a long coat and tall hat, and holding a cane. His confident stance is conveyed through a three-quarter body view and a profile face.
Technique & Style
The loose, quick lines of the drawing suggest a spontaneous, observational approach, characteristic of sketches made on the spot, a common practice during this period.
History & Provenance
The drawing was created in 1823, a time when sketching famous figures was a popular activity. The Victoria and Albert Museum holds similar sketches, indicating the work's place within a broader artistic context.
Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Guillaume Gabriel d'Orsay
Alfred Guillaume Gabriel Grimod d'Orsay, comte d'Orsay was a French amateur artist, dandy, and man of fashion in the early- to mid-19th century.
