Artwork preview

Samuel Johnson

James Watson after Sir Joshua Reynolds

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a man in a half-length portrait. He is in profile, looking to his left, with his right arm raised and hand near his chin, and his left hand below holding his garment. He has a prominent nose, a strong jawline, and a contemplative expression. His hair is short, wavy, and shaded light. He wears a draped garment over a collared shirt with a slightly open neckline. In the background, there are large books on a shelf and a rolled scroll. The background is dark, emphasizing the figure.

Artwork Details

Date
1770
Medium
mezzotint
Dimensions
3500 × 4772 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette