Thomas Willsford, Mathematician

About this work

You see a bearded man in a ruffled collar holding a compass and a book. His gaze is steady, almost challenging. The engraving uses fine lines to show his thoughtful face and details like the folds in his sleeves. This wasn’t just any portrait. It was made to honor mathematicians during a time when science and art often mixed. The artist cut the lines himself, a skill called engraving that takes steady hands. Check out how Vaughan, Robert did this exact technique.