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Lord Cornwallis

William Ward

1799

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Lord Cornwallis is a 1799 ink by William Ward, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William Ward
When & what style?: 1799 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of a man dressed in fancy military clothes. He’s wearing a long coat with big gold buttons, a sash across his chest, and a tall hat. His right hand rests on a curved sword, and he stands against a dark background with a pillar and a draped chair behind him. The lighting makes his face and shoulders stand out sharply. The text below his name says he was a high-ranking military leader, but the image itself focuses on his serious expression and the heavy details of his uniform. The artist used shading to create depth, especially on his face and clothes. If you like this style, check out the technique: chiaroscuro.