Mosland, Glo n.d.

William Ward created this mezzotint in England around the turn of the 19th century. Here we see a man, presumably the artist himself, poised with a pen over a drawing. Mezzotint was a popular printmaking technique at this time, prized for its tonal range, lending itself well to portraiture. The sitter’s direct gaze and the tools of his trade suggest the rising status of the artist in British society. Portraiture gained popularity among the middle class. Examining the print through the lens of social history, we might ask: who was buying these images? How did institutions like the Royal Academy shape artistic careers? Archival documents like exhibition catalogs and artists' correspondence can provide insight. By situating the work within its cultural and institutional context, we gain a richer understanding of its meaning and impact.