Artwork
Professor Henry Fawcett

Professor Henry Fawcett is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Hubert von Herkomer. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Hubert von Herkomer's 1894 oil painting, Professor Henry Fawcett, is a portrait of the British economist and politician Henry Fawcett.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Fawcett seated in a chair, wearing formal attire, with a somber atmosphere conveyed through the dark background and his serious expression. Fawcett's blindness is not visually represented, but his condition is the subject of the portrait.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a post-impressionist style, the work showcases Herkomer's attention to detail, particularly in Fawcett's face, while the dark background features a subtle gradient of brown hues.
History & Provenance
The painting was created by Hubert von Herkomer, a Bavarian-born British artist known for his realistic depictions of social conditions and portraiture, as well as his work in film direction and composition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Hubert von Herkomer (born as Hubert Herkomer; 26 May 1849 – 31 March 1914) was a Bavarian-born British painter, pioneering film-director, and composer.














