John Temple
1765
pastel
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1765
pastel
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a man in a dark brown coat with silver buttons and a ruffled white cravat. His hair is powdered white, and he wears a serious expression with a slight smile. The background is plain and dark, keeping all focus on his face and clothing. The artist used pastel on paper, which gives the colors a soft, slightly fuzzy look. This was a common choice for portraits in the 1700s because it allowed for quick, detailed work. Next, look up pastel to see how artists used this medium for portraits.
