Portrait of Frank Gibson

Artist James McBey (Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)

Associated Frank Gibson

Date1915

Mediumdrypoint on paper

ClassificationsMcBey

DimensionsImage Size (Height x Width): 139 × 113mm
Frame Size (Height x Width): 504 × 375mm

AcquisitionPresented in 1959 by Mr H H Kynett.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG002025

Keywords

About MeThis severe and sombre image of the Victorian artist Edward Burne-Jones was painted by the French artist Alphonse Legros when he was based in London. Legros had been introduced to Burne-Jones by the Pre-Raphelite artist D.G. Rossetti and his brother William. They also introduced Legros to his greatest patron, George Howard, Earl of Carlisle, who owned this painting.

In this work, in which Legros expertly captures Burne-Jones' distinctive physiognomy and soulful expression, the influence of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood can be seen, to some extent, by the highly naturalistic landscape background. However, the work also shows Legros' enormous debt to several Italian artists, notably the severe portrait style of the Venetian artist Giorgione, who was roughy ten years older than Raphael, and the Florentine artist Jacopo Pontormo, who was eleven years Raphael's junior. Both these artists were famed for their depiction of numerous Italian noblemen, painted in a landscape setting, positioned full-face and attired, as was the fashion of the time, entirely in black.