William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
Original title: William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland
kurzbeschreibung
Between 1764 and 1802, Francesco Bartolozzi drew this oval portrait of William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, in black and red chalk, then varnished it. The sheet is among the fine examples of 18th-century portraiture.
Description
Within the oval frame appears a man with short, wavy hair tied on one side. His expression is serious and thoughtful, his gaze cast slightly down. A plain, solid background emphasizes the head. The drawing stays in muted tones, typical of black and red chalk.
Context
The Italian Francesco Bartolozzi worked in London in the second half of the 18th century and was known above all for his reproductive engravings. The sitter is William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, a British politician and twice prime minister. The portrait falls in a period when Bartolozzi, besides prints, also made drawings. The date range 1764–1802 covers his entire English career.
Impact
The serious expression meets soft chalk strokes, creating a dignified, inward-looking mood. Because almost everything recedes in favor of the face, one feels immediately close to the sitter.
Technique
Black and red chalk on paper – a technique valued in the 18th century for portrait studies. A later applied varnish layer protected the drawing and gives it a slight sheen. Bartolozzi's confident strokes testify to practiced craftsmanship.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)