Artwork

John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare (1749-1802)

John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare (1749-1802), by Mackenzie, 1801
John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare (1749-1802), by Mackenzie, 1801

John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare (1749-1802) is a print by the Romanticist artist Mackenzie. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1801 print by Mackenzie portrays John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare, a prominent figure in late 18th-century Ireland. The work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, John Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare (1749-1802), is depicted in formal attire, conveying dignity and stature. His pose, with a hand resting on a table holding an unidentified small object, suggests contemplation or quiet authority.

Technique & Style

The print employs chiaroscuro, leveraging strong contrasts between light and dark to create depth and dimensionality. The detailed rendering of the Earl's curly white hair and intricately designed dark jacket further enhances the overall sense of realism.

History & Provenance

Created in 1801, the print is now held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, though the full provenance history prior to its acquisition is not detailed here.

Context

While the original description mentions a connection to the Romanticism movement, this aspect is not strongly evident in the described visual elements of the portrait, which lean more towards traditional portraiture techniques of the time.

Legacy

The legacy of this specific print by Mackenzie is not extensively outlined in the provided information, focusing instead on the subject's identity and the artwork's current location.

Artist & collection

Artist

Mackenzie

Mackenzie was a British artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.