Artwork
Frederick Augustus Jones
Frederick Augustus Jones is a watercolor painting by Unknown. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the National Library of Wales. The work is a watercolor portrait of a formally dressed gentleman, rendered against an unadorned backdrop.
About this work
Overview
The work is a watercolor portrait of a formally dressed gentleman, rendered against an unadorned backdrop. He is shown in a dark jacket over a patterned vest, white shirt, dark bow tie, and a long coat draped over his left shoulder, holding a top hat in his right hand. His gaze meets the viewer directly, while his left hand rests in his pocket, conveying a composed, dignified presence.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears to be presented as a figure of social standing, indicated by his attire and the inclusion of accessories such as the top hat and coat. The straightforward pose and direct eye contact suggest confidence and self-assurance, typical of portrait conventions that aim to convey the individual's status and character.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolor, the painting employs glazing to build layers of translucent color, creating depth and a subtle richness in the fabrics and skin tones. The medium’s inherent delicacy contributes to the refined atmosphere, while the controlled brushwork captures the textures of the patterned vest and the sheen of the coat.
Context
Watercolor portraiture in the nineteenth century often served as a means of documenting personal identity for the emerging middle class. The work’s formal composition and restrained palette align with contemporary expectations for respectable representation, reflecting broader trends in portraiture that emphasized clarity and decorum.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
Amiral de Rigny
Gabriel V. Ludlow
Ebenezer Cooper, Llangollen
Steel
Charles Guillaume Étienne
John Davies
Gentleman in black coat
Fitzstephen French, M.P.
Portrait of a man
Self-Portrait in the Role of M. Prud'homme
The Senior Government Auditor Rudolf Schadow (The Artist's Brother)
Vanity Fair: Statesman, No. 128 "Newcastle-on-Tyne"