Six Vignettes
n.d.
Medium
Graphite, brushed with shellac, on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
22.9 × 18.8 cm (9 1/16 × 7 7/16 in.)
Classification
graphite
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
83418
Art Historical Context
Thomas Stothard (1755–1834), a prolific British artist celebrated for his delicate illustrations and history paintings, created *Six Vignettes*, a undated drawing that exemplifies his mastery of miniature narrative scenes. Active during the late 18 and early 19th centuries, Stothard was a key figure in the Romantic era's illustrative tradition, often contributing vignettes—small, evocative compositions—to books and prints. These six vignettes likely depict whimsical or literary subjects, showcasing his fluid line work and imaginative storytelling, which graced publications by authors like John...
About the Artist
Thomas Stothard · 1755–1834
Thomas Stothard RA (1755–1834) was born on 17 August 1755 at the Black Horse Inn in London's Long Acre, the son of a prosperous publican originally from Stutton near Tadcaster. A delicate child, he was sent at age five to relatives in Yorkshire, attending schools in Acomb, Tadcaster, and later Ilford, Essex, where he honed his drawing skills by copying prints. Following his father's death in 1770,...