Hawthornes Antiques

Description

A delightful portrait of a an early 19th century gentleman executed in pastels.

This distinguished gentleman is depicted wearing a blue coat over a pale yellow waistcoat and a white stock, popular dress of circa 1800-20.

Finely detailed study drawn on thick paper and backed with a canvas. Original frame of gilded gesso over softwood. A protective cover of glass covers the image within the frame.

The image being in good antique condition, minimal signs of wear, original gilt and gesso frame with evidence of losses and wear.


Pastel was praised in the 18th century for its lifelike quality or "bloom" it conferred on its subjects. This is produced by the way light reflects off the surface. Being a powder finish pastel drawing reflects light from the facets of the fine particles. This visual property accounts for a velvety, matt quality.

Compared to oil painting pastels required less time and fewer tools but their application of colours was complex and making corrections difficult. Pastels were most often completed on paper though occasionally velum was used. The paper was usually the same type as made for wrapping objects, it was relatively strong being well suited to rubbing during the artistic process. These papers were generally blue but rarely left visible upon completion. The finished painting would be mounted on canvas tacked to a wood frame.