Artwork

Portrait of a Man

Portrait of a Man, by Andrew Morton, 1828
Portrait of a Man, by Andrew Morton, 1828

Portrait of a Man is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Andrew Morton. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Andrew Morton’s 1828 drawing, titled Portrait of a Man, is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Executed in pencil on paper, the work presents a half‑length view of an unidentified gentleman, rendered with restrained detail that emphasizes the sitter’s facial features and attire while omitting any elaborate background.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is depicted in a light‑colored coat with dark lapels, his curly hair neatly arranged and his gaze directed forward. The calm expression and straightforward pose suggest a conventional portrait intended to convey the sitter’s social standing and personal composure rather than narrative or allegorical content.

Technique & Style

Morton employed soft, graduated pencil strokes to model light and shadow across the face, creating a subtle three‑dimensional effect. The paper shows signs of age, including faint smudges and peripheral pencil marks, which attest to the artist’s working process and the drawing’s subsequent handling.

History & Provenance

Created in 1828, the drawing entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition (specific details of purchase or donation are not recorded in the available sources). Its presence in the museum’s collection situates it among other early nineteenth‑century British portraiture, offering insight into Morton’s practice during that period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Andrew Morton

Artist

Andrew Morton

Andrew Morton (1802–1845) was a British artist, born in Newcastle upon Tyne.

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