Portrait of an Old Man by Robinson, J.C.
This intriguing "Portrait of an Old Man" by J.C. Robinson, painted in 1848 and now housed in a private collection, carries a hidden message. Two inscriptions on the canvas work together to tell a subtle story.
While the main signature boldly states the artist and date, a more elusive inscription can be found on the subject's white cuff. This faint writing, when deciphered, reads "J.C. Robinson, pinxit," which is Latin for "J.C. Robinson painted this."
This double signing, with one inscription on the cuff of the sitter, strongly suggests the possibility that the old man in the portrait is none other than the artist, J.C. Robinson, himself. It adds a layer of personal connection and self-reflection to the artwork.
Could this be a rare self-portrait by an artist who wanted to embed his identity within the fabric of his own creation?
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Transcript
This man looks straight out, holding something back. But his artist left two clues. The visible signature confirms the artist and the year, 1848. Now look at his cuff. There is faint writing. This says: "J.C. Robinson, pinxit." That Latin means, "J.C. Robinson painted this." So who is the subject? Perhaps the artist himself.