The artwork, titled “Anthony Knowles,” was created by the artist John Russell in the year 1801. This piece falls within the Rococo art movement and belongs to the genre of portraiture.
In the artwork, a gentleman is depicted with a serene and dignified expression while seated, holding a quill pen in his right hand, poised to write on a document before him. He is attired in formal dark monochromatic clothing, adorned with large brass buttons on his coat, and a white cravat. His hair, styled fashionably for the period, accentuates his composed demeanor. The background is dark, likely to emphasize the subject, with a rich reddish-brown draped fabric adding an element of texture and depth. The overall impression of the artwork is one of intellectual and refined elegance, characteristic of a portrait intended to convey the sitter’s status and character.
