Artwork
'Mr James Harvey D'Egville'
'Mr James Harvey D'Egville' is a print by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This early‑19th‑century stipple engraving presents a portrait of a gentleman, shown from the chest upward.
About this work
Overview
This early‑19th‑century stipple engraving presents a portrait of a gentleman, shown from the chest upward. The figure is positioned with his torso turned to the right while his face looks directly forward. He is framed within an oval border and set against a uniform gray background that emphasizes the details of his attire and features.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified by a pencilled inscription as James Harvey D’Egville, wears a formal cravat, a high‑collared shirt and a coat with turned‑back lapels, indicating his status as a well‑dressed male of the period. The straightforward pose and restrained composition suggest a conventional representation of personal identity rather than an allegorical narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed as a stipple engraving proof, the image relies on fine dots to render tonal variations, producing a smooth gradation of light and shadow. The black‑and‑white medium allows precise rendering of the subject’s short, curly hair, the crisp lines of his clothing, and the subtle modeling of his facial features.
History & Provenance
The print entered the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the Cyril Beaumont Bequest, a collection assembled by the noted dance historian and collector. Its acquisition through this bequest situates the work within a broader assemblage of early nineteenth‑century prints and portraiture held by the museum.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
