Portrait of a Gentleman, British, Signed & Dated 1818; by Sir John Watson Gordon (1788-1864)

Oil on canvas in fine 19th Century gilt frame.

This fine and highly attractive portrait from the British Regency period demonstrates very clearly that Gordon was a fine draftsman capable of conveying great tenderness. Signed and dated upper right, ‘John Watson, Edin(burgh) Pinx 1818’, it was painted in the earlier part of the artist’s career when he undertook a variety of genres including religious, portraiture, and genre scenes. Later, the artist employed the use of muted colour and a cool light due to his admiration for Velázquez. These types of large scale portraits were popular during the 19th century and there were many artists working in this lucrative area for private commissions but also public display such as town halls, etc.

The work shows the influence of the British schools and it is comparable on stylistic and compositional grounds to that of Sir Henry Raeburn, who was a family friend and encouraged him to take up the practice initially, and also Sir Martin Archer Shee, who was also a friend and tutor to the artist.

Three years after the date of this portrait the artist concentrated on portraiture, and following the death of Raeburn in 1823, he enjoyed a privileged position as the leading portrait painter in Scotland. He was a founding member of the Royal Scottish Academy and also exhibited at the Royal Academy in London and achieved both critical and popular acclaim. Many artists, literati, and intellectuals sat for him and he attracted many English sitters to his Edinburgh studio.

Provenance: Private English collection

Measurements: Height 113cm, Width 93cm framed (Height 44.5”, Width 36.5” framed)

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