Sidi Hadji Abdurrahman Adja (1720–1792)
1786
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1786
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
A man in a turban and dark robe looks straight at you. His face is lit softly, almost like a candle glow. This sketch was made in London in 1786. The man was an ambassador from Tripoli, visiting to smooth things over between his country and Britain. Richard Cosway drew him quickly, probably in one sitting. The lines are loose but sure—no fuss, just the feeling of a person. If you like this kind of quick, lively portrait, look up the technique called *sfumato*.
