Artwork
Dr. Parsons, Master of his Majesty's Band of Musicians
Dr. Parsons, Master of his Majesty's Band of Musicians is a print by the Romanticist artist Charles Wilkin. It dates from 2 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This 1790 print portrays Sir William Parsons, who held the title Master of His Majesty’s Band of Musicians.
About this work
Here’s a print from 1790 showing Sir William Parsons, who led the king’s band of musicians. It’s a formal portrait of a man who shaped royal music in his time. This image was made by Charles Wilkin and kept at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Wilkin worked in London’s lively print scene near the end of the 1700s. The print shows a musician at the height of his public role.
Look up Charles Wilkin.
Overview
This 1790 print portrays Sir William Parsons, who held the title Master of His Majesty’s Band of Musicians. Executed by the London engraver Charles Wilkin, the image was issued on 2 December 1790 and is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, catalogued within the Harry Beard holdings.
Subject & Meaning
Sir William Parsons is shown in formal attire, emphasizing his official capacity within the royal musical establishment. The portrait underscores his role as a leading figure in court music, presenting him as both a musician and an administrator responsible for directing the king’s ensemble.
Technique & Style
Wilkin employed the popular late‑eighteenth‑century printmaking methods of line engraving and stipple shading, producing a crisp, detailed likeness. The composition balances portraiture conventions with subtle indications of musical authority, such as the inclusion of a baton or score, rendered with fine tonal gradations typical of Wilkin’s work.
History & Provenance
The print was first published by Charles Wilkin in London and later entered the private Harry Beard Collection before being acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Its documented date of 2 December 1790 provides a precise point of reference for its circulation among contemporary audiences.
Context
Produced during a period when printed portraits of public officials were widely disseminated, the image reflects the growing interest in documenting cultural figures associated with the monarchy. Wilkin’s activity in the bustling London print market of the 1790s placed him among artisans catering to a market eager for visual records of courtly life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Wilkin (c. 1750 – 28 May 1814, in London), was an English engraver, painter and publisher who exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1783 and 1808, and is best known for his stipple engravings. Some of his more…
