The artwork, titled “William (‘Gentleman’) Smith,” was created by John Jackson in the year 1819. This portrait, situated within the Rococo art movement, exemplifies the stylistic elegance and refined aesthetic associated with the genre.
The portrait depicts William Smith, prominently positioned against a rich, deep red background that enhances the subject’s dignified presence. Smith is attired in formal attire, including a dark coat adorned with distinctive buttons and a meticulously tied white cravat, indicative of his genteel standing. His expression is composed and poised, reflecting both authority and serenity. The painter has employed delicate brushstrokes, particularly evident in the rendering of Smith’s facial features and hair, conveying a lifelike representation. The overall composition combines a sense of understated elegance and sophistication, hallmark traits of the Rococo movement, while successfully capturing the essence of the sitter.
