The artwork titled “Samuel Johnson,” created by the artist James Barry in 1780, is a notable piece from the Neoclassicism movement and falls within the genre of portraiture.
The artwork depicts a partial and seemingly unfinished portrait of its subject, Samuel Johnson. The central focus lies on Johnson’s face, rendered with striking detail and expressive brushwork. His robust complexion and concentrated expression capture his intellectual presence. The background and additional details surrounding the figure remain unrefined, accentuating the intricacy of the facial features and evoking a sense of immediacy in the portrait. Utilizing the Neoclassical style, Barry skillfully highlights the subject’s prominence, offering a dignified and memorable representation.
