Who painted The Sedan Chair?

The Sedan Chair was painted by David, Sir Wilkie in 1817.

Where can I see The Sedan Chair?

The Sedan Chair is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Sedan Chair?

The Sedan Chair is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Sedan Chair

David, Sir Wilkie , 1817

The Sedan Chair is an ink print by the Romanticist artist David, Sir Wilkie. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *The Sedan Chair* is a print created around 1817 by Sir David Wilkie. Executed as an etching combined with drypoint on a chine collé support, the image presents a modest domestic scene set within a wooded landscape. The composition centers on three figures and a small dog, rendered with delicate line work and layered tones that give the picture a muted, atmospheric quality.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a seated adult, dressed in loose clothing and a broad-brimmed hat, cradling an infant on the lap of a log. A child, also hat‑clad, leans toward the adult, while a dog lies at their feet. The surrounding trees and underbrush suggest a rural setting, evoking themes of family intimacy and everyday life away from urban bustle.

Technique & Style

Wilkie employed both etching and drypoint, allowing him to vary line depth and ink density across the surface. The chine collé base adds a thin, smooth paper layer that absorbs ink uniformly, enhancing subtle tonal gradations. Multiple ink applications create a soft, almost smoky effect, a characteristic approach for early‑19th‑century prints seeking fine detail and atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

The print was produced circa 1817, during the later phase of Wilkie’s career when he explored printmaking alongside his well‑known genre paintings. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work has appeared in several catalogues of Wilkie’s prints and is held in public collections that document his contribution to British printmaking of the period.