Charismatic Gent

This strongly drawn and well-featured pastel portrait shows a charismatic gentleman with thick dark curls and luxurious side whiskers.

The portrait appears to have been cut down as it has a clipped signature preserved under cover on the reverse of the maple veneer frame. The portrait is in fine condition; the frame has some cracking and small losses to the veneer with some gaping to the top joints.

The son of a miniature painter, George Richmond (1809-1896) was influenced in his youth by William Blake and, like Blake, was deeply religious. Equally talented, he turned to portraiture to earn a living working in watercolour, oils and pastels. His studio attracted many celebrities and amongst his sitters were Beau Brummel, Charlotte Bronte, Elizabeth Fry, John Ruskin and William Wilberforce. It is estimated that he painted upwards of 3,000 portraits, his aim always being to achieve ‘the truth lovingly told’.