The artwork, entitled “Edward Smallwell, Bishop of Oxford,” was masterfully crafted by the artist George Romney. This portrait falls under the Rococo art movement and is a distinguished example of portraiture from that era.
In the artwork, the representation of Edward Smallwell is depicted with a profound sense of gravitas and dignity. The Bishop is attired in the clerical vestments befitting his station, with a predominantly black robe draped over his shoulders and a white clerical collar. His face, framed by a full coiffure of powdered hair, bears an expression of solemn contemplation. The use of a dark, muted color palette enhances the somber and reflective mood of the portrait, befitting the elevated status of the subject. The background is subtly rendered, drawing the viewer’s attention to the detailed and expressive features of the Bishop, capturing a sense of his character and the responsibilities of his ecclesiastical office.
