Artwork

James Smithson and Alice Whitworth

James Smithson and Alice Whitworth, by Robert Blyth, ink, 1780
James Smithson and Alice Whitworth, by Robert Blyth, ink, 1780

James Smithson and Alice Whitworth is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Blyth. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

James Smithson and Alice Whitworth is an etching on laid paper, executed by Robert Blyth in 1780. The work depicts a pair of individuals engaged in a solemn, face-to-face encounter.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays two serious-faced figures: a bearded man wearing a hat on the left, and a veiled woman in a hat on the right. Their intense, direct interaction suggests a moment of gravity or significance, though the specific context or relationship between them is not explicitly conveyed.

Technique & Style

Characterized by meticulous line work, the etching renders the subjects' attire and facial features in high detail. The unadorned background emphasizes the pair, drawing the viewer's focus to their interaction and expressions.

Context

While the etching's style aligns more closely with the detailed, expressive qualities of the emerging Romantic movement, it predates the movement's peak. The work's solemnity and attention to emotional depth, however, anticipate Romantic sensibilities.

History & Provenance

Created in 1780 by Robert Blyth, the etching's historical context and ownership history prior to its current location are not detailed in available information.

Legacy

The etching's legacy is not prominently noted in broader art historical narratives, though it may hold significance within specialized studies of late 18th-century printmaking or Robert Blyth's oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Robert Blyth

Artist

Robert Blyth

Robert Blyth (1803–1803) was an artist.

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