Who painted The Persian?

The Persian was painted by Georg Friedrich Schmidt in 1756.

Where can I see The Persian?

The Persian is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Persian?

The Persian is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Persian

Georg Friedrich Schmidt , 1756

The Persian is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Georg Friedrich Schmidt. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The artist used a technique called drypoint to create the texture—you can see fine scratches in the paper.

This is a black-and-white portrait of a man in a big fur collar and a tall, feathered hat. His beard is thick, and he holds a walking stick in one hand while resting the other on his chest. The lines are sharp and detailed, especially around his face and clothes.

The artist used a technique called drypoint to create the texture—you can see fine scratches in the paper. This print was made in 1756.

Next, check out technique: etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how artists like this made prints.

Overview

Created in 1756, *The Persian* is a black‑and‑white print executed by German artist Georg Friedrich Schmidt. The work combines etching and drypoint on laid paper, presenting a portrait of a man dressed in a fur‑trimmed collar and a tall, feathered hat, with a walking stick in one hand and the other hand placed on his chest.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a bearded figure in elaborate costume, suggesting an exotic or foreign identity, a common theme in mid‑eighteenth‑century European art that catered to curiosity about distant cultures. The dignified pose and luxurious attire convey status and intrigue without explicit narrative.

Technique & Style

Schmidt employed both etching and drypoint, the latter evident in the fine, incised lines that give texture to the fur and facial features. The crisp, detailed rendering reflects Rococo sensibilities, emphasizing ornamental detail and expressive figuration within a restrained monochrome palette.

History & Provenance

Georg Friedrich Schmidt (1712–1775) was a noted engraver and pastel painter whose career spanned the Rococo period. *The Persian* is among his later prints, produced during a mature phase when his technical skill in printmaking was fully developed. The work has been documented in collections of European prints from the 18th century.

Context

In the 1750s, European printmakers frequently explored exotic subjects, catering to a market for decorative prints that could be displayed in domestic interiors. Schmidt’s print aligns with this trend, offering a fashionable, detailed portrait that would have appealed to collectors interested in both the novelty of the subject and the elegance of Rococo design.