William Gladstone
1896
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1896
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
William Gladstone is a 1896 ink by Charles M. Johnson, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white portrait of an older man with a serious expression. His curly white hair and beard are detailed, and he’s wearing a high-collared shirt with a cravat. The background is plain, keeping focus on his face and the texture of his clothing. The artist used a technique called *fumée engraving*, which creates soft, smoky lines. This method was popular for delicate portraits. Next, look up *engraving* to see how artists use metal plates and acid to make prints.
