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Study for the Portrait of Horace Walpole (later 4th Earl of Orford, 1717 - 1797)
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Study for the Portrait of Horace Walpole (later 4th Earl of Orford, 1717 - 1797) about 1759
  • Scottish Art
This elegant study illustrates Ramsay's fluent drawing style. He conveys Horace Walpole's appearance and informal pose, seated at his writing desk, with both sureness and swiftness. The blue paper complements his confident handling of black chalk for the main outlines, with highlights added in white. The drawing relates to Ramsay's portrait of Walpole in the Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University, painted in 1759. Horace Walpole, the son of the Prime Minister Robert Walpole, was renowned as an antiquarian, writer and collector. He was also a great admirer Ramsay's work.

Glossary Open

Antiquarian

Relating to the study or collection of antiques, particularly from the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome. It is also used for a person engaged in this work.

Antiquarian

Details

  • Acc. No. D 240
  • Medium Black chalk, heightened with white, on blue paper
  • Size 43.30 x 29.60 cm
  • Credit David Laing Bequest to the Royal Scottish Academy transferred 1910

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Scottish Art