The artwork, titled “The Skater (Portrait of William Grant),” was created by Gilbert Stuart in 1782. This oil on canvas piece belongs to the Rococo art movement and serves as a portrait. It measures 147.4 x 245.5 cm and is currently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, US.
In “The Skater (Portrait of William Grant),” the subject is depicted in a full-length portrait while ice skating. He is shown elegantly gliding across the frozen surface, with his arms crossed over his chest. The subject is dressed in sophisticated 18th-century attire, characterized by a black coat, breeches, and skates, exuding an air of confidence and grace. The backdrop features a wintery landscape with leafless trees and several figures engaged in ice skating and conversing. The use of muted colors and soft lighting enhances the serene and poised demeanor of the skater, epitomizing the refinement and elegance admired during the Rococo period.
