John Selden, Jurist and Antiquary
1806
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1806
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
John Selden, Jurist and Antiquary is a 1806 ink by Robert Cooper, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with curly hair and a serious face. He’s wearing a dark coat with white cuffs, and his hands rest on his chest. The background is plain, so the focus stays on him. The print was made using tiny dots and lines to create shadows and texture. This was a common way to make detailed images before photography. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made sharp, precise portraits.
