Artwork
Wilson Lowry
Wilson Lowry is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1825 engraving by William Blake presents a monochrome portrait of Wilson Lowry, a figure distinguished by academic titles such as F.R.S. and M.G.S. The image shows Lowry with short, wavy hair, a solemn expression, and a high‑collared shirt featuring a ruffled neckline, set against an unadorned background.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures Lowry as a learned individual, his dignified bearing and the inclusion of his honors suggesting a tribute to his contributions in scientific or scholarly fields. Blake’s choice to render the sitter in a restrained, almost clinical manner aligns with the portrait’s function as a document of professional respect rather than a narrative scene.
Technique & Style
Executed entirely with incised lines, the engraving relies on varying densities of hatching to model facial features and hair, producing a textured surface that conveys depth without tonal shading. Blake’s hand is evident in the precise, controlled strokes that define the shirt’s ruffles and the sitter’s expression, reflecting his broader engagement with line‑based printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created toward the end of Blake’s artistic career, the portrait situates him within the early‑19th‑century British print tradition, a period when engravings served both artistic and documentary purposes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the piece’s association with Blake and its identification of Lowry’s academic titles anchor it in the networks of scientific societies of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Blake (28 November 1757 – 12 August 1827) was an English poet, painter and printmaker.
