Who painted Tom -- Florence?

Tom -- Florence was painted by George Richmond in 1838.

Where can I see Tom -- Florence?

Tom -- Florence is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Tom -- Florence?

Tom -- Florence is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Tom -- Florence?

Museum-quality prints of Tom -- Florence are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Tom -- Florence

George Richmond , 1838

Tom -- Florence is a gouache drawing by the Romanticist artist George Richmond. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1838, the drawing titled Tom – Florence combines graphite, white gouache, and brown ink on a tan wove paper support.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center of sheet, in graphite: Tom--Florence; by later hand, lower center of mount in ink: Sketches by George Richmond of T. K. R. 1838 / when living in Italy.

About this work

Overview

It presents a reclining nude rendered with swift, gestural lines that suggest a momentary study rather than a finished composition.

Created in 1838, the drawing titled Tom – Florence combines graphite, white gouache, and brown ink on a tan wove paper support. It presents a reclining nude rendered with swift, gestural lines that suggest a momentary study rather than a finished composition. The work belongs to the early period of George Richmond’s career, when he was transitioning from the influence of the Blake‑inspired Ancients toward a focus on portraiture for the British elite.

Subject & Meaning

The figure, identified only as Tom, is positioned on his side with one arm supporting his head and the other resting on his torso, while his knees are bent and feet splay outward. The pose captures a relaxed, informal intimacy, hinting at a private or anecdotal scene rather than a formal portrait. The inscription of the name and the city suggests a personal connection to a location in Florence, possibly a study made during a visit.

Technique & Style

Richmond employs a combination of dry and wet media: graphite outlines define the anatomy, brown ink adds contour and depth, and white gouache highlights muscular curvature and the luminous quality of skin. The warm tan paper serves as a mid‑tone ground, allowing the artist to model form through both dark ink strokes and light gouache applications. The overall handling is loose, emphasizing gesture over meticulous detail.

History & Provenance

The drawing dates from the year Richmond began to establish himself as a portraitist for the British gentry, nobility, and royalty. Although his early affiliations with the group known as The Ancients, who drew inspiration from William Blake, are evident in the work’s poetic sensibility, Tom – Florence marks a step toward his later, more conventional portrait commissions. Its provenance remains within private collections, with no record of exhibition beyond occasional scholarly references.