Sir Richard Perryn

Art Historical Context

**Sir Richard Perryn** is a striking mezzotint portrait by Gainsborough Dupont, an 18th-century English artist and nephew of the renowned painter Thomas Gainsborough. Created around the late 1700s (date not specified), this undated print captures the dignified likeness of Sir Richard Perryn, a prominent Welsh judge who served as Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Dupont, trained in his uncle's studio, excelled in translating painterly portraits into prints, making high-quality reproductions accessible to a wider audience beyond oil paintings. Mezzotint, the chosen medium, is a masterful intaglio technique invented in the 17th century and perfected in Britain during Dupont's era. The artist begins by roughening a copper plate with a rocking tool to create a velvety black tone, then meticulously scrapes and burnishes highlights for luminous effects—ideal for conveying the textures of lace, fabrics, and skin in portraits like this one. Measuring 48.5 × 34.3 cm, the print's intimate scale invites close viewing, showcasing Dupont's skill in achieving painterly depth on paper. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work highlights the golden age of British printmaking, when mezzotints bridged fine art and popular dissemination. It offers visitors a window into Georgian-era elite portraiture, blending technical innovation with cultural prestige.