Artwork
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope is an oil painting by Jonathan Richardson. It dates from 1742 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, created by Jonathan Richardson in 1742, is a portrait of the poet Alexander Pope. It is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Alexander Pope with a contemplative expression, his eyes cast downward and eyebrows slightly furrowed. He wears a red robe over a white shirt, set against a dark background.
Technique & Style
Richardson's use of oil paint captures the subject's introspective mood. The simple, dark background focuses attention on Pope's face and attire.
History & Provenance
Jonathan Richardson, known as 'the Elder,' was a prominent English portrait painter and mentor to artists like Thomas Hudson and George Knapton.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jonathan Richardson (12 January 1667 – 28 May 1745), sometimes called "the Elder" to distinguish him from his son, was an English artist, collector of drawings and writer on art, working almost entirely as a portrait-painter in London.
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