The Rev. William Atkinson, Wearing a Broad-Brimmed Hat

Art Historical Context

In the intimate graphite drawing *The Rev. William Atkinson Wearing a Broad-Brim Hat* (ca. 1760–62), British portraitist George Romney captures the likeness of the Reverend William Atkinson remarkable sensitivity. Created when Romney was in his mid-20s, just as he was honing his skills after his apprenticeship, this 6 x 7 1/4-inch sheet exemplifies the artist's early mastery of portraiture. The broad-brimmed hat, a distinctive feature highlighted in the title and tags, draws the eye, suggesting Atkinson's clerical or perhaps nonconformist persona in mid-18th-century England. Romney, renowned for his elegant portraits of the British elite, often began with such preparatory sketches to refine poses and expressions before committing to oil. Graphite's fine lines allowed for subtle modeling of features and fabric textures, showcasing Romney's fluid draftsmanship and attention to character. This work, acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013 through the Brooke Russell Astor Bequest, offers a rare glimpse into his formative years, bridging the transition from Rococo informality to emerging Romantic individualism. For visitors, this modest drawing reveals the quiet artistry behind grand portraits, inviting reflection on faith, fashion, and the human spirit in Georgian Britain.

About the Artist

George Romney|The Reverend William Atkinson · 1734–1802

George Romney (1734–1802) was a British portrait painter who, alongside Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough, formed the triumvirate of great English portraitists in the second half of the eighteenth century. Born in Dalton-in-Furness, Lancashire, he received his early training from the itinerant portrait painter Christopher Steele before moving to London in 1762. Romney quickly establishe...