Portrait of Bacon Morritt

Art Historical Context

Behold the intimate *Portrait of Bacon Morritt (1772), a delicate etching and drypoint print now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints. Created by William Doughty, Baconritt, and Lewis Vas—likely a collaborative effort among these 18th-century British artists—this small gem measures just 4 1/16 x 3 1/4 inches, perfect for a collector's cabinet or personal album. Etching and drypoint were prized techniques in Georgian-era printmaking: etching's precise acid-etched lines capture fine details, while drypoint's burr-raised edges add velvety softness and texture, evoking the immediacy of drawing. This portrait exemplifies the era's fascination with character studies, blending Rococo elegance with emerging portrait realism to honor the sitter, Bacon Morritt, whose identity hints at genteel society circles. Acquired through the 2011 bequest of Phyllis Massar, this work invites visitors to appreciate how modest prints democratized portraiture, making elite likenesses accessible beyond oil paintings. A charming window into 1770s British artistry!

About the Artist

William Doughty|Bacon Morritt|Lewis Vaslet (British|British|British) · 1757 |1694 |1742 –1782 |1775 |1808

British, York 1757–1782 Lisbon|British, 1694–1775|British, 1742–1808 Bath