Artwork
Thomas Mellon
Thomas Mellon is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Imitator of Thomas Sully. It dates from 1828 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a portrait drawing executed with pen, brown ink and red crayon on a sheet of brown wove paper.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in later hand, lower right in pen and brown ink: Thos Sully.; upper center in graphite (upside down): Special B-39/ Thomas Mellon/ by imitator of Thomas Sully; across bottom verso in pen and brown ink: (14 lines of a letter): Dr Samuel Henry Dickson/ This drawing of Thomas Mellon Esp./ I present you with, as I know you/ want to send it to Dr Hugues/ Today/ My dear Dr/ I have much/ pleasure in thanking y [?] for the/ welcome present if [?] had you sent me half the quantity/ I should have considered it a magnificent/ present. Sincerely your friend/ and all best/ Thos Sully
- Markings
- Marked:center verso in blue ink: NGA stamp
About this work
Overview
The work is a portrait drawing executed with pen, brown ink and red crayon on a sheet of brown wove paper. It presents a male sitter from the chest upward, dressed in a dark jacket, white shirt and dark bow tie, his hair cut short and neatly arranged. The background is a muted light brown, deepening in tone around the figure’s head and shoulders.
Subject & Meaning
The figure appears to be a gentleman, likely of some social standing, indicated by his formal attire and composed bearing. The inclusion of a small, separate sketch of a woman’s head in the upper left suggests the artist used the drawing as a study, perhaps rehearsing compositional elements or exploring facial types before completing the main portrait.
Technique & Style
The artist combines fine pen work with brown ink washes to model the face and clothing, while red crayon adds accent and tonal variation. Expressive, fluid lines and subtle shading reflect Romantic sensibilities, emphasizing mood and individuality over strict realism. The brown wove paper provides a warm ground that unifies the limited palette.
History & Provenance
No specific documentation of the drawing’s commission or ownership is provided, and its provenance remains unclear. The work is identified only by the title “Thomas Mellon,” which may refer to the sitter’s name, but further archival research would be required to confirm identity and original context.
Context
Created during the Romantic era, the portrait aligns with contemporary trends that favored personal expression and the artist’s hand in rendering character. The use of mixed media, pen, ink, and crayon, was common among artists seeking greater tonal depth without the labor of oil painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
