Who painted Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe?

Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe was painted by Maxim Gauci in 1823.

Where can I see Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe?

Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe?

Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe

Maxim Gauci , 1823

Portrait of Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Maxim Gauci. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. The drawing shows Rev.

About this work

Overview

The drawing shows Rev. Thomas Robert Jolliffe standing before a tree, dressed in a white robe and turban, his right hand grasping the trunk. A scroll is held in his other hand, a reference to his journeys in Palestine and Egypt. The composition combines a modest figure with a tranquil natural backdrop, creating a quiet, reflective mood.

Subject & Meaning

Rev. Jolliffe, a clergyman known for his travels in the Near East, is presented in attire reminiscent of local dress, underscoring his connection to the regions he visited. The scroll he carries alludes to his documented experiences, while the tree may symbolize growth or pilgrimage, reinforcing the theme of personal and spiritual exploration.

Technique & Style

Executed as a hand‑colored lithograph, the work bears the signature of the Maltese lithographer Gauci and dates to 1823. The artist employs delicate shading to model the figure’s features and texture the fabric, while the subtle coloration enhances the contrast between the white robe and the darker background, reflecting early Romantic interests in exotic subjects.

History & Provenance

Joseph Attard‑Tabone’s research identified the sitter as Rev. Jolliffe and linked the drawing to Gauci’s lithograph titled *T.R.J. Vestito da Arabo*. Earlier attributions mistakenly named W.J. Bankes, due to visual similarities with portraits at Kingston Lacy. The piece entered the collection of W.T. Spencer after its acquisition in August 1967.

Artist & collection

Artist

Maxim Gauci

Maxim Gauci, born Massimo Gauci, was a Maltese lithographer and painter who was active in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. He was an early exponent of lithography for botanical illustration.