Artwork
Portrait of Col. Acland

Portrait of Col. Acland is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Cousins. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Portrait of Col.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Col. Acland is a pencil drawing created by Cousins in 1820, currently part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. The work depicts a profile view of a man with pulled-back hair and a high-collared coat adorned with a ribbon or sash, rendered in light shading and smudged lines with noticeable wear on the paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the drawing is Colonel Acland, portrayed in a formal yet approachable manner through the profile view. The high-collared coat and ribbon or sash suggest a depiction of his military or social status.
Technique & Style
The drawing showcases quick, sketchy pencil strokes with light shading and smudged lines, indicating a potentially rapid execution. The absence of smooth rendering emphasizes the sketch's possibly preliminary or intimate nature.
History & Provenance
Created in 1820 by Cousins, the portrait is now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, with visible wear on the paper suggesting extensive handling over time.
Artist & collection
Artist
This British artist made delicate pencil drawings of sitters in the early 1800s. Their surviving pages—like the crisp Portrait of Col. Acland (1820) and the poised Portrait of Lady Harriet Acland—capture military men…











