1842
oil
canvas
From the collection of British Museum
Dominant colour
Sir Henry Ellis (1777–1869), Principal Librarian (1827–1856) is a 1842 oil by Margaret Sarah Carpenter, held at British Museum.
This portrait shows a man with white hair, dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and black bow tie. A gold chain hangs from his waistcoat, and a medal adorns his left lapel. The background is dark, with a subtle gradient that suggests depth. The man's attire and the medal imply a sense of formality and distinction. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of volume and texture, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject's face and clothing. To learn more about the artist behind this portrait, look up Margaret Sarah Carpenter.
Margaret Sarah Carpenter (née Geddes; 1793 – 13 November 1872) was an English painter. Noted in her time, she mostly painted portraits in the manner of Sir Thomas Lawrence. She was a close friend of Richard Parkes Bonington.
See the richer artist page
