The Right Honorable William Pitt
Original title: The Right Honorable William Pitt
kurzbeschreibung
William Pitt the Younger, who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury, is shown in profile in this print. James Gillray made the etching and engraving on May 28, 1789. The statesman's serious, thoughtful expression defines the portrait.
Description
Turned slightly to the left, the sitter's head appears with the face fully in profile. A shirt with an elaborate collar and a formal jacket clothe him; his hair falls short and wavy. A dark, plain ground behind the portrait draws attention to his features. Along the bottom edge are details of the sitter and the artist. The arrangement is central and entirely in black and white; even light brings out contours and fabric textures.
Context
Between 1783 and 1801, and again from 1804 to 1806, William Pitt the Younger was Britain's prime minister. In 1789, the year of this work, he also held the offices of Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury. Gillray is among the most important British caricaturists and printmakers of the late eighteenth century. This portrait dates from a period of political consolidation under Pitt's government.
Impact
Dignity and political authority emanate from the serious expression and the clear profile view. A detached, respectful mood arises from the calm, centred layout and the fine shading. The dark surroundings make the sitter appear additionally monumental.
Technique
An etching with subsequent engraving is present here, evident in the sharp contours and detailed shading. The paper texture rises slightly and gives the print its authentic appearance. Typical of eighteenth-century printmaking is the black-and-white monochrome.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)