Gentleman with Letter in front of a Red Curtain

The English painter Thomas Lawrence had a major influence on several painters of his time. George Raphael Ward copied many works by Lawrence in miniature format, and therefore their similarity is not surprising. In this portrait of a gentleman Lawrence’s influence is visible in the heavy, wine-red curtains, the view onto an evening landscape,and the sitter’s heroic posture.

The miniature demonstrates Ward’s great talent in enhancing the dynamism of a portrait by using contrasts. This gives the image not only a sensual quality,but the dynamic composition also increases the characterisation of the sitter. The gentleman appears resolute and strong-willed in a pose called the “field marshal posture” used to underline these aspects of his personality.
D. O.