Object Detail
Description
portrait seen seated almost three-quarter length to right on couch, resting his right arm on pile of books, wearing plain blue coat buttoned across chest, cravat and his hair short; Thompson is seated in a red high-backed armchair. Next to him are volumes hidden by a red curtain and in front a green baize covered table on which stands a set of silver inkwells and paper. He is dressed in grey breeches, white waistcoat and neck-cloth and black coat. Thompson wears a blue sash and a just-visible decoration. The portrait is three-quarter length. The subject leans his head against his right hand, index finger to his temple. Benjamin Thompson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1779.
Maker and role
artist: John Smith (English, b.1752, d.1812)
Production place
London, England
Production date
20 Aug 1799
Media description
Colour mezzotint engraving on paper
Measurements
s: 360 x 280
f: 530 x 410 x 30
f: 530 x 410 x 30
Inscriptions
Inscription Content "Painted Engraved & Published Aug.20.1799. by I.R. Smith. Mezzotinto. Engraver to his R.H. The Prince of Wales, No 31 King Street, Covent Garden, London." | Inscription Content Lettered with title and production and publication detail, below image: "Painted, Engraved and Published Augt. 1799 by I.R. Smith, Mezzotinto Engraver to his R.H. The Prince of Wales, No.31 King Street, Covent Garden, London"
Credit line
Foundation Collection, 1989
Project credit line
This digital record has been made available on TJC Collection Online through a significant donation from the OPENING DOORS fund, the generous support of The Friends of The Johnston Collection, and Digitisation Champion Christine Bell
Accession number
A0981
TJC reference number
5084
