Artwork
Thomas Percy
Thomas Percy is a print by the Baroque artist Unknown 19th Century. It dates from 1605 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The text at the bottom says it’s a "first original edition" of Thomas Percy, published in 1801.
This is a black-and-white engraved portrait of a bearded man in a wide-brimmed hat. His face is serious, with a ruff collar peeking out. Around him, four small scenes show people in action, framed like windows. Latin words wrap around the edges, and a tiny barrel sits below his chin.
The text at the bottom says it’s a "first original edition" of Thomas Percy, published in 1801. That means this print copies an older image, not the original painting.
Look up Baroque next to see how this style’s drama fits into art history.
Overview
The work is a black‑and‑white engraved facsimile presenting a portrait of Thomas Percy. The central figure, a bearded gentleman wearing a wide‑brimmed hat and a ruff, is surrounded by four miniature vignettes arranged like window frames. Latin text encircles the image, and a small barrel rests beneath the chin. The print is identified as a "first original edition" issued in 1801, indicating it reproduces an earlier portrait rather than being an original painting.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Thomas Percy, a noted 18th‑century literary figure, in a dignified pose that emphasizes his scholarly status. The surrounding scenes, though not described in detail, suggest narrative episodes or allegorical references linked to Percy’s life or works, while the Latin inscription likely provides a biographical or commemorative note.
Technique & Style
Engraved on paper using a facsimile process, the image relies on line work and hatching to convey texture and depth. The composition’s dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, as well as the theatrical arrangement of the inset scenes, echo the visual intensity characteristic of Baroque aesthetics, even though the print itself dates from the early 19th century.
History & Provenance
Printed in 1801, the work was marketed as the first original edition of the portrait, suggesting it was the earliest printed reproduction of an earlier painted source. Its status as a facsimile indicates that the original image predates the print, though the precise date and creator of the source portrait remain undocumented in the available information.
Context
Thomas Percy (1729–1811) was a bishop, poet, and collector whose most famous contribution was the anthology "Reliques of Ancient English Poetry." The portrait’s Baroque‑inspired drama aligns with the period’s penchant for emphasizing the intellectual gravitas of cultural figures, situating Percy within a visual tradition that underscores his literary influence.
Artist & collection
Artist
