Artwork
Portrait of Suliman Aga Le Luna
Portrait of Suliman Aga Le Luna is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Ozias Humphry. It dates from 1792 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The composition rests against a muted background of blended blue and yellow tones, giving the figure a subtle three‑dimensional presence.
Created in 1792 by English portraitist Ozias Humphry, this pastel work depicts a seated gentleman adorned in a white turban and a yellow vest over a white shirt. The composition rests against a muted background of blended blue and yellow tones, giving the figure a subtle three‑dimensional presence. The piece belongs to the Rococo‑influenced portrait tradition and is presently part of the Nationalmuseum collection in Stockholm.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Suliman Aga Le Luna, is presented with a composed expression and a neatly trimmed mustache, suggesting dignity and status. His attire—a turban and bright vest—reflects a blend of Eastern fashion and European portrait conventions, hinting at cross‑cultural connections in the late eighteenth century. The warm palette and attentive rendering convey a sense of personal intimacy and respect for the individual’s identity.
Technique & Style
Humphry employed soft pastel pigments, a medium he favored for its capacity to render delicate flesh tones and fine details. The brushwork is restrained yet precise, especially in the rendering of facial features and fabric folds. The overall effect aligns with Rococo sensibilities: lightness, elegance, and a focus on the sitter’s refined appearance, while maintaining a realistic fidelity characteristic of Humphry’s miniatures and crayon portraits.
History & Provenance
The portrait was executed the same year Humphry was appointed Portrait Painter in Crayons to the British monarch, a period that coincided with his election to the Royal Academy in 1791. After changing hands over the ensuing centuries, the work entered the Nationalmuseum’s holdings, where it remains accessible to the public as an example of late‑eighteenth‑century British portraiture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ozias Humphry (8 September 1742 – 9 March 1810) was an English painter who specialised in portrait painting, including portrait miniatures.
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