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James Barbour

Max Rosenthal

1883

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Contemporary Portrait

Dominant colour

James Barbour is a 1883 by Max Rosenthal, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Max Rosenthal
When & what style?: 1883
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man in profile, facing left. His dark coat has a high collar, and his hand rests near his chest. The background is plain, letting the face and shoulders stand out. The lines are soft, with no sharp edges. The name below reads "James Barbour, Secretary of War," though we can’t see any other details about him here. The artist’s signature, *Max Rosenthal*, is faintly marked in the corner. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro next—it’s the technique of strong light and shadow contrast.