Seated Man Smoking a Pipe 1755 - 1771

Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg's etching "Seated Man Smoking a Pipe" (1755-1771) depicts a seated man in a hooded cloak, holding a pipe and looking thoughtfully at the viewer. The composition is simple and direct, highlighting the figure's expressive face and the subtle details of his clothing. The artwork is a prime example of Loutherbourg's ability to capture the character and mood of his subjects with a few, well-placed lines. This etching is part of a larger series of figures that Loutherbourg, a renowned painter, created and engraved himself.