Reading John Bull

John Bull was a popular Sunday newspaper first published by Theodore Hook in 1810 and here being read by a gentleman named Thomas Foster (or Foston perhaps). Wearing his Sunday-best tail-coat, Thomas is seated, legs crossed, on a mahogany dining chair upholstered in red.

The use of colour in silhouettes is not often seen but it can be used to good effect to highlight interesting details. This is a well-painted profile with good detailing – note the creasing in the trousers, the shine of the well-polished shoes, and the grey wispy hair!

The silhouette is housed in a pale oak frame. A label on the back is inscribed in pencil with the sitter’s name and the date – March 26th1845.