Artwork
Mr St. John Hutchinson, K.C.
Mr St. John Hutchinson, K.C. is a watercolor work on paper by the Aestheticist artist Ambrose McEvoy. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Created in 1916, this watercolour portrait presents Mr St.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1916, this watercolour portrait presents Mr St. John Hutchinson, K.C., in a direct, frontal pose. The work relies on the medium’s characteristic translucency, building the figure through layered washes that give the image a luminous quality while maintaining a restrained palette.
Subject & Meaning
Hutchinson is shown in a dark jacket and bow tie, his gaze meeting the viewer with a solemn expression. The focus on his face, rendered with precise detail, underscores his professional stature and the formal nature of the commission.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a realistic approach, using successive transparent washes to model the facial features and convey depth. Variations in light and shadow across the background, ranging from deep to pale tones, enhance the three‑dimensional effect without detracting from the sitter.
History & Provenance
The portrait dates to the World War I era, a period when watercolour was frequently used for quick yet refined likenesses. While the creator is not named on the work, it is associated with the practice of McEvoy, a known portraitist of the time.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Ambrose McEvoy was an English artist. His early works are landscapes and interiors with figures, in a style influenced by James McNeill Whistler. Later he gained success as a portrait painter, mainly of women and…
