The Blue Cravat

Gazing steadily out, this gentleman is smartly dressed in a double-breasted tail-coat over a white waistcoat and shirt with a standing collar. The buttonhole in his lapel helps date the portrait to around 1815 as does his style of deep cravat known as a trône d’amour. Whiskers were also commonly seen at this time.

The portrait is very well drafted in pencil with light touches of blue and white watercolour. There is an indistinct signature on the reverse that could refer to either the artists or the sitter. The drawing has light age-browning most visible in the background area. It is set in a giltwood frame that has small losses to the gilding.