Artwork
Bearded Man with Turban and Young Woman
Bearded Man with Turban and Young Woman is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Blyth. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Blythe’s 1782 etching, titled *Bearded Man with Turban and Young Woman*, presents a monochrome scene of a bearded, turban‑clad figure leaning over a young woman in an elaborate, ruffled dress. The man rests a hand on the woman’s shoulder, his aged face contrasted with the woman’s indistinct features.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes an elderly, possibly exotic male figure with a youthful female subject, suggesting themes of age, authority, or cultural encounter. The turban and elaborate attire hint at an Orientalist influence, while the intimate gesture may imply protection or patronage.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching on wove paper, the image was produced by incising lines into a metal plate, inking the recessed areas, and pressing the paper onto the plate. Blythe’s hand‑drawn lines create fine detail in the facial wrinkles and fabric folds, while broader strokes convey the drapery’s texture.
History & Provenance
Blythe signed the print and added a dedication indicating it was presented as a gift to Sir William Forbes. This inscription provides a direct link to the work’s early ownership and suggests it circulated among the educated elite of the late eighteenth century.
Context
The late 1700s saw a growing fascination in Britain with Eastern dress and motifs, reflected in portraiture and genre scenes. Blythe’s choice of a turbaned figure aligns with contemporary trends that romanticized foreign attire within domestic settings.
Artist & collection
