Luther Martin
1801
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1801
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man in profile. He’s wearing a high-collared jacket with puffy sleeves, and his hair is neatly brushed back. The image is framed in a circle, like a coin or a seal, and the background is plain. The artist used a technique called *mezzotint*—it’s an engraving method that creates smooth shading with tiny lines pressed into the metal plate. The paper looks old, with some yellowing around the edges. If you like this style, check out the artist Lemet, Louis for more work.
