The artwork “Martha Gunn and the Prince of Wales” by John Russell is a portrait that belongs to the Rococo art movement. John Russell, the artist, has captured the figures of Martha Gunn, a famous bathing machine proprietor, alongside the young Prince of Wales, who would later become King George IV. This genre of portrait offers an intimate glimpse into the historical figures it represents, and the Rococo style typically imbues the scene with a sense of elegance and decorative charm, although those features are not dominantly present in this representation.
The artwork depicts Martha Gunn with a jovial, matronly demeanor as she holds a young child, the Prince of Wales, in her arms. A suggestion of the seaside setting in the background alludes to Martha Gunn’s connection with the bathing machines of Brighton, an association that played a significant part in her fame. The prince is rendered with youthful innocence, a subtle contrast to the more commanding presence of Martha Gunn. The artist has employed a soft, naturalistic approach to their features, with particular attention to the textures of their skin and the fabrics of their attire. The colors are somewhat subdued, which may reflect the artist’s intent to focus on the subjects themselves rather than the opulence of their surroundings, which could have been expected in typical Rococo works.