Who painted Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man was painted by Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne in 1810.

Where can I see Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Portrait of a man?

Portrait of a man is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Portrait of a man

Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne , 1810

Portrait of a man is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This drawing is a profile portrait of a man, rendered from the head to shoulders, with his face turned to the right. Created circa 1810, it bears the inscription 'W[?] H. Taylor'.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a man with unkempt, spiky hair and a high-collared coat, suggesting a casual yet possibly fashionable attire for the early 19th century. His profile pose, slightly turned away, may imply a sense of introspection or reserve.

Technique & Style

Executed in loose, quick pencil strokes, the drawing emphasizes facial and shoulder details, with light shading to imply texture and shadow. This approach aligns with common practices for rapid portraits of the era, akin to preliminary sketches.

History & Provenance

The drawing is attributed to 'W[?] H. Taylor' based on the inscription, though the exact identity of the artist remains uncertain due to the partial initial. Created around 1810, its original context or commission details are not specified.

Context

The piece reflects early 19th-century portrait drawing techniques, where speedy capture of likeness was often prioritized over meticulous detail, especially in potentially informal or preliminary works.

Artist & collection

Artist

Marchioness of Waterford Louisa Anne

Louisa Anne Beresford, Marchioness of Waterford (née Stuart; 14 April 1818 – 12 May 1891) was a British Pre-Raphaelite watercolourist and philanthropist.