Who painted Richard II?

Richard II was painted by John Hamilton Mortimer in 1775.

Where can I see Richard II?

Richard II is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Richard II?

Richard II is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Richard II

John Hamilton Mortimer , 1775

Richard II is an ink print by the Romanticist artist John Hamilton Mortimer. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

John Hamilton Mortimer’s 1775 etching titled *Richard II* presents a monochrome portrait of the deposed king. The print shows a crowned figure with a weary expression, a long beard, and elaborate, draped robes, while a spectral hand reaches toward the crown above his head. Textual elements from a dramatic work about the monarch frame the image.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is the historical King Richard II of England, rendered in a moment of melancholy and loss. The ghostly hand suggests the relinquishment of royal authority, echoing the tragic themes of the play whose quotations surround the composition.

Technique & Style

Created through the etching process, Mortimer incised lines into a metal plate, producing fine detail and tonal variation on wove paper. The work reflects his broader interest in dramatic, romantic subjects, combining precise portraiture with a subtle, atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

Mortimer, a British artist active in the mid‑18th century, served as President of the Society of Artists in 1774. He produced the *Richard II* print shortly before his premature death in 1779 at the age of thirty‑nine. The etching remains a documented example of his printmaking output.

Context

The image aligns with Mortimer’s fascination with historical and literary themes, paralleling his larger body of work that includes Italianate romantic scenes and war‑related compositions reminiscent of Salvator Rosa’s dramatic style.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Hamilton Mortimer

John Hamilton Mortimer (17 September 1740 – 4 February 1779) was a British figure and landscape painter and printmaker, known for romantic paintings set in Italy, works depicting conversations, and works drawn in the…