John Stuart-Wortley, 2nd Baron Wharncliffe

David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an upper-body portrait of a seated man looking to his left. He has wavy hair combed back, with sideburns. His face features a straight nose and a strong jawline. The man is dressed in formal attire: a dark suit, vest, high-collared white shirt, and a dark cravat. His left hand rests on his lap, and his right hand holds a small rectangular book on his knee. The background is a simple, dark backdrop with part of an elaborately carved chair visible.