copley12 John Singleton Copley (1738-1815)

The drawing presents a portrait study of a man, rendered in charcoal on paper. The subject is depicted from the chest upwards, facing directly toward the viewer with a somewhat quizzical expression. His hair, long and flowing, frames his face and cascades down his shoulders, suggesting a style common to the 18th century. He wears what appears to be a clerical or legal collar, indicating a position of some authority or profession.
The artist’s technique is notable for its directness and apparent spontaneity. Lines are loose and expressive, capturing not just the likeness but also a sense of the mans character. The shading is minimal, relying on variations in pressure to suggest form and volume. A significant element of the drawing lies in the annotations made alongside the portrait. These notations, written in what appears to be the artist’s hand, detail specific features – “top of forehead,” “eye,” “nose,” “mouth,” chin - demonstrating a process of observation and analysis during the creation of the study. The presence of these notes suggests that this is not a finished portrait but rather an exploratory sketch intended for later refinement or use as reference material.
The inclusion of these annotations introduces a layer of metacommentary, offering insight into the artist’s working method. It transforms the portrait from a simple representation of a person into a document about the act of creation itself. The slightly awkward and almost surprised expression on the subjects face, combined with the analytical notes, creates an intriguing tension between formality and informality, suggesting a candid moment captured during the artistic process. The drawing’s overall effect is one of intimacy and intellectual curiosity, revealing both the subject and the artist in a state of observation and inquiry.