Artwork
Richard Tattersall
Richard Tattersall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist John Jones. It dates from 1787 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Jones’s 1787 mezzotint, titled "Richard Tattersall," presents a seated gentleman in a hat, captured in a moment of quiet contemplation. Rendered on laid paper, the print showcases the sitter’s serious gaze directed toward the viewer, his hand poised over an open book.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is dressed in a dark coat with prominent buttons and a high‑collared white shirt, suggesting a formal or professional status. The open book, with visible writing, hints at scholarly or legal interests, while the direct eye contact invites engagement with the viewer’s own thoughts.
Technique & Style
Jones employs chiaroscuro through the mezzotint process, creating pronounced contrasts of light and shadow that give the portrait a three‑dimensional quality. The subtle gradations of tone enhance the texture of the clothing and the depth of the surrounding space.
Context
The composition includes a simple interior wall, a doorway, and a window revealing a cloudy sky, situating the sitter within a modest domestic setting. Such background elements were common in late‑eighteenth‑century portraiture, emphasizing the individual over elaborate surroundings.
History & Provenance
Created in 1787, the print reflects the period’s interest in detailed, realistic portraiture. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been documented as part of collections focusing on British mezzotints of the era.
Artist & collection
