Artwork
John Paul Jones, Commodore au Service des Etats Unis de l'Amérique (John Paul Jones, Commodore in the Service of the United States of America)
John Paul Jones, Commodore au Service des Etats Unis de l'Amérique (John Paul Jones, Commodore in the Service of the United States of America) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Carl Guttenberg. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left margin in graphite: Coll~L-P; lower left margin in graphite: [erased and undecipherable]; lower center verso in graphite: 8022; lower left corner verso in graphite: a62832 [underlined]; lower left corner verso in graphite: M2129
- Markings
- Marked:encircled stamp in red on verso [not identified]
About this work
Overview
This 1780 etching and engraving on laid paper, titled John Paul Jones, Commodore au Service des Etats Unis de l'Amérique, is a portrait of the renowned American naval commander by artist Carl Guttenberg.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts John Paul Jones in a naval uniform, adorned with a tricorn hat and gold-trimmed coat, holding a sword. His serious expression and distant gaze suggest intensity, potentially capturing him amidst a pivotal moment, such as a battle.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching and engraving, the work features detailed linework, evident in the rendering of the ship's rigging and Jones's attire. While the style is rooted in 18th-century portraiture, the dramatic composition and emphasis on action align with emerging Romanticist tendencies.
History & Provenance
Created in 1780 by Carl Guttenberg, the engraving's provenance is not detailed here, though its creation during Jones's lifetime suggests it may have been part of contemporary efforts to glorify his naval achievements.
Context
The piece reflects the late 18th-century admiration for John Paul Jones, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. Its dramatic flair may also hint at the growing influence of Romanticism in European and American art.
Legacy
As a portrait of a pivotal historical figure, this engraving contributes to the visual legacy of John Paul Jones. Its artistic style, blending traditional techniques with Romantic drama, places it at an interesting juncture in the evolution of portrait art.
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