Mrs. Palmer 1785

John Downman created this portrait of Mrs. Palmer using graphite and watercolor on paper. These are modest materials, quite unlike the oils favored for grand paintings at the time. The magic here is in the layering. Downman built up delicate washes of color, almost like glazing on ceramics, to give Mrs. Palmer's skin a luminous quality. See how the graphite lines define the contours of her face and the intricate details of her hair? This was a moment when paper became a really important medium. It's relatively inexpensive, and portable, making art more accessible. But of course, the artist's skill is still paramount. Downman’s subtle use of shading captures not just Mrs. Palmer’s likeness, but also a sense of her social standing. It's a reminder that even seemingly simple materials can be used to create works of great sophistication. It allows us to appreciate the technical skill required to blend graphite and watercolor into such a refined portrait.