Who painted Man Holding a Book [recto]?

Man Holding a Book [recto] was painted by Thomas Sully in 1815.

Where can I see Man Holding a Book [recto]?

Man Holding a Book [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Man Holding a Book [recto]?

Man Holding a Book [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Man Holding a Book [recto]

Thomas Sully , 1815

Man Holding a Book [recto] is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Thomas Sully. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Sully’s drawing, titled *Man Holding a Book* (recto), dates to around 1815. Executed with black ink wash and graphite on laid paper, the work is a modestly sized study that captures a solitary figure in a moment of quiet contemplation.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a seated man dressed in a loosely draped robe. He holds an open book on his lap, his chin resting on his hand, while one leg is crossed over the other. The relaxed pose and focused gaze suggest an intimate, perhaps scholarly, activity, emphasizing personal reflection over narrative drama.

Technique & Style

Sully employs swift, gestural lines combined with delicate ink washes, creating a sense of immediacy. Cross‑hatching builds subtle texture in the fabric and background, while the faint suggestion of a building or ruins behind the figure remains secondary to the facial expression and hand gesture. This sketchy approach aligns with early‑19th‑century portrait studies.

History & Provenance

The drawing is attributed to Sully’s early career, around 1815, a period when he frequently produced quick studies for larger compositions or as preparatory work. Details of its ownership history are limited, but the piece remains an example of Sully’s draftsmanship during his formative years.

Artist & collection

Artist

Thomas Sully

Thomas Sully was an English-American portrait painter. He was born in England, became a naturalized American citizen in 1809, and lived most of his life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including in the Thomas Sully…