Old Man with a Long Beard (1761, Met-Objekt 5217)
Original title: Old Man with a Long Beard
kurzbeschreibung
This portrait of an old man with long, curling hair and beard, dressed in a plain dark garment, was made in 1761. Captain William E. Baillie produced the sheet as an etching with drypoint; it now belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Description
The man appears in a bust-length view, his head turned slightly to the left. His expression reads as thoughtful and tired. The dark, simple garment stays short on detail. Background and setting are kept dark and indistinct, so that the face carries the emphasis. Latin words run along the lower part of the sheet, possibly serving as a description or title. A signature and the year 1761 sit at the lower right.
Context
Captain William E. Baillie, an Irish artist and officer, was active in the eighteenth century. This sheet of 1761 is the third of three known states, as the Met's note (Meyer) records. Stylistically the etching follows the portraits of its period, which often presented scholars or biblical figures with strongly marked features. Baillie was known for reproductive prints after paintings by celebrated artists.
Impact
The pensive gaze and the soft lines of the etching give the old man a calm, dignified presence. The dark ground heightens the intimacy of the portrait and draws the viewer's eye to the features and the expression.
Technique
Etching with drypoint, recognisable in the delicate lines and soft shading. The plate measures 14 x 10.6 cm and was printed on a sheet of 14.6 x 11.1 cm. Drypoint allowed Baillie to work out fine detail in the beard and the facial features.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)