Artwork

Sir Thomas Eliott

Sir Thomas Eliott, by Francesco Bartolozzi, 1794
Sir Thomas Eliott, by Francesco Bartolozzi, 1794

Sir Thomas Eliott is a print by the Romanticist artist Francesco Bartolozzi. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

The name at the top reads "Th: Eliott Knight," but the text below says this is based on a drawing by Hans Holbein.

This is a black-and-white portrait of a man facing left. He wears a dark hat and a white collar peeking out from under a dark garment. The lines are smooth and the shading is soft, especially on his face and neck.

The name at the top reads "Th: Eliott Knight," but the text below says this is based on a drawing by Hans Holbein. The print was made in 1794 and was part of a royal collection.

Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this strong light-and-shadow effect works.

Overview

Sir Thomas Eliott is a print by Francesco Bartolozzi, created in 1794. The work is a portrait held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a man, identified as Th: Eliott Knight, in a dark hat and garment with a white collar. The image is based on a drawing by Hans Holbein, suggesting the subject is a historical figure.

Technique & Style

The black-and-white portrait features smooth lines and soft shading, particularly on the subject's face and neck. The use of chiaroscuro creates a strong contrast between light and shadow, adding depth to the image.

History & Provenance

The print was made in 1794 and was once part of a royal collection, indicating its historical significance and value.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francesco Bartolozzi

Artist

Francesco Bartolozzi

Francesco Bartolozzi (21 September 1727 – 7 March 1815) was an Italian engraver, whose most productive period was spent in London. He is noted for popularizing the "crayon" method of engraving.

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