1800
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Gallery of Ireland
Presumed Portrait of Thomas Girtin (1775-1802), Artist is a 1800 oil by John Opie, held at National Gallery of Ireland.
This painting shows a man in a dark jacket and white cravat, holding a pencil and paper. He has short brown hair and looks to his left. The background is dark, which helps the man stand out. The man's face is painted in detail, with a serious expression. His eyes are cast downward, and his eyebrows are slightly furrowed. The artist has used oil paint to create a realistic image. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting. This technique involves using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a three-dimensional effect.
John Opie (16 May 1761 – 9 April 1807) was a British painter whose subjects included many prominent men and women of his day, members of the British royal family and others who were notable in the artistic and literary careers.
See the richer artist page
