Francis Hawkins, Jesuit

John Payne

National Gallery of Art

The image is an engraving showing a portrait of a boy from the chest up. He is positioned facing forward with his head turned slightly to his right. The boy's facial features include a smooth complexion, a youthful face, and a serene expression with nearly symmetrical eyes looking directly at the viewer. His hair is shoulder-length and wavy, with a straight fringe across his forehead. He is dressed in an elaborate outfit typical of the period, featuring a finely detailed lace collar and a doublet adorned with decorative elements like a ribbon bow and a series of buttons down the center. He is part of an elaborate wooden or stone decorative frame that features intricate scrollwork and stylized elements. The text within the frame reads "François Hawkins tirant a l’age d’huit ans," indicating the identity and age of the boy. The background consists of a patterned surface.