John Ward, 2nd Viscount Dudley and Ward
Medium
Black and red chalk, varnished, on thin laid paper. Oval.
Dimensions
8-15/16 x 6-9/16 in. (22.7 x 16.7 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Morris K. Jesup Fund, 1955
Accession Number
55.106.1
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold this intimate oval portrait drawing of **John Ward, 2nd Viscount Dudley and Ward**, prominent British peer from the late 18th century. Created between 1779 and 1802, it bears attributions to renowned artists Francesco Bartolozzi, an Italian engraver celebrated for his delicate reproductive prints, and John Singleton Copley the acclaimed Anglo-American portraitist known for his lifelike depictions of the elite. Intriguingly, the sitter himself is also credited, hinting at possible self-involvement or workshop collaboration during this era of aristocratic portraiture. Executed in black and red chalk on thin laid paper and protected by a varnish layer, the work exemplifies preparatory drawing techniques of the Enlightenment period. The oval format, popular for cameos and intimate studies, allowed for focused rendering of facial features and expression, capturing Ward's dignified presence with subtle tonal modeling. At just 8-15/16 x 6-9/16 inches, its modest scale suggests it may have served as a study for larger paintings or engravings, reflecting the era's blend of spontaneity and refinement. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Morris K. Jesup Fund in 1955), this piece offers a window into 18th-century British high society, where portraits preserved status and legacy. Its survival underscores the fragility and allure of chalk drawings, inviting us to ponder Ward's world of politics and privilege.
About the Artist
Francesco Bartolozzi|John Singleton Copley|John Ward, 2nd Viscount Dudley and Ward · 1727–1815
Francesco Bartolozzi (1727–1815) was an Italian engraver whose most productive period was spent in London, where he became the leading exponent of stipple engraving and a founding member of the Royal Academy. Born in Florence and trained first as a painter before turning to engraving in Venice, he established his reputation in Rome before being recruited by the English Royal Librarian Richard Dalt...