Who painted Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister?

Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister was painted by Thomas Hudson in 1747.

Where can I see Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister?

Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister is held by National Galleries Scotland.

What movement is Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister?

Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister

Thomas Hudson , 1747

Charles Erskine, 1716 - 1749. Barrister is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Thomas Hudson. It dates from 1747 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Thomas Hudson’s 1747 oil portrait depicts Charles Erskine, a Scottish barrister who lived from 1716 to 1749. The work is part of the Scottish National Gallery’s collection and presents the sitter in a formal, restrained pose that emphasizes his professional stature.

Subject & Meaning

Erskine is shown with dark, tightly curled hair and a solemn expression, conveying the seriousness associated with his legal career. His attire—a black coat trimmed with gold buttons, a white cravat, and a prominent gold chain with a pendant—signals both his social rank and the decorum expected of a barrister in mid‑eighteenth‑century Scotland.

Technique & Style

Hudson employs a limited, muted palette, allowing the dark background to recede and the sitter’s features to emerge sharply. The rendering of fabric and metalwork demonstrates the artist’s skill in depicting texture, while the subtle chiaroscuro adds depth and a dignified atmosphere to the composition.

History & Provenance

The portrait was completed two years before Erskine’s death and entered the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings as part of its 19th‑century acquisitions of Scottish portraiture. It remains a key example of Hudson’s work for the British aristocracy and professional class.

Context

Created during a period when portraiture served as a primary means of documenting personal identity and status, the painting reflects the conventions of Georgian portraiture. Hudson, a leading London portraitist, often catered to clients seeking to affirm their social position through refined, yet restrained, visual representation.