Who painted Portrait of Boy with Falcon?

Portrait of Boy with Falcon was painted by William Raddon in 1830.

Where can I see Portrait of Boy with Falcon?

Portrait of Boy with Falcon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Portrait of Boy with Falcon?

Portrait of Boy with Falcon is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Portrait of Boy with Falcon?

Museum-quality prints of Portrait of Boy with Falcon are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Portrait of Boy with Falcon

William Raddon , 1830

Portrait of Boy with Falcon is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Raddon. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition is set against an unadorned background, directing attention to the interplay of light and shadow across the figure’s features.

William Raddon’s 1830 engraving titled Portrait of Boy with Falcon is a black‑and‑white print executed in the traditional intaglio technique. The image presents a solitary figure, rendered with precise line work that emphasizes the subject’s attire and the bird perched on the hand. The composition is set against an unadorned background, directing attention to the interplay of light and shadow across the figure’s features.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a young male figure holding a falcon, a motif historically associated with aristocratic leisure and the training of hunting birds. The poised stance and attentive gaze suggest a moment of quiet concentration, reflecting the cultural significance of falconry as a symbol of status and disciplined pursuit during the early nineteenth century.

Technique & Style

Raddon employs fine cross‑hatching to model the folds of the subject’s clothing and the texture of the bird’s feathers. This method of overlapping parallel lines creates a nuanced gradation of tone, allowing subtle shadows to emerge without the use of color. The crisp delineation of the high collar and the delicate rendering of the gloved hand exemplify the meticulous craftsmanship typical of early Victorian engravings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1830, the engraving was likely produced for the market of collectible prints that circulated among the middle and upper classes of Britain. While specific ownership records are scarce, similar works by Raddon were often sold through print dealers and exhibited in private collections, indicating the piece’s role as both a decorative object and a document of contemporary taste.

Context

The early nineteenth century saw a resurgence of interest in sporting subjects, with falconry representing both a nostalgic pastime and a marker of genteel identity. Engravings such as Raddon’s offered an affordable means for a broader audience to engage with these themes, aligning with the period’s expanding print culture and the democratization of visual art.