Artwork
Portrait of John Jenkins

Portrait of John Jenkins is a watercolor work on paper by the American Folk Art artist Thomas George. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of John Jenkins is a watercolour work created by Thomas George in 1810, distinguished by the inclusion of the artist's signature and a personal inscription added by the subject's sister.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts John Jenkins with meticulous attention to his facial features, conveying a serious demeanor through his direct gaze and closed mouth. His attire, consisting of a blue coat, white shirt, and dark tie, is set against a subdued light grey background.
Technique & Style
Thomas George employed soft brushstrokes to achieve a textured effect, notably in Jenkins' curly hair and the folds of his clothing, aligning with the expressive and nuanced qualities often associated with Romantic-era portraiture.
History & Provenance
Executed in 1810, the work bears both the artist's signature and an inscription from the subject's sister, providing a direct link to the sitters' family and contextualizing its creation within the subject's personal sphere.
Context
This portrait is associated with the Romanticism movement, characterized by its emphasis on emotion, individuality, and detailed realism, all of which are reflected in the work's thoughtful composition and textured rendering.
Artist & collection











