Artwork
Thomas Haden of Derby
Thomas Haden of Derby is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Francis Seymour Haden. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left corner in plate: Seymour Haden 1864; lower right in plate: Thomas Haden of Derby / 1778
About this work
Overview
Francis Seymour Haden’s print titled Thomas Haden of Derby was produced in 1864. Executed as an etching and drypoint on laid paper, the work belongs to the print medium and reflects Haden’s practice in the mid‑nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a seated male figure, his arm resting on a chair, dressed in a loosely fitting shirt. The relaxed posture and informal attire convey a sense of ease, suggesting a candid, perhaps personal, portrayal rather than a formal portrait.
Technique & Style
Haden combined traditional etching with drypoint, employing a sharp needle to incise lines directly into the paper’s surface. The resulting marks are bold and dark, with a sketch‑like quality that lacks precise edges, emphasizing spontaneity over meticulous finish.
History & Provenance
Created during a period when printmaking served as a primary method for reproducing images before the advent of photography, the piece exemplifies Haden’s engagement with the medium. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s own workshop, though further ownership details remain undocumented.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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