Wiliam Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland 1764 - 1802

This drawing of William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, the 3rd Duke of Portland, was rendered by Francesco Bartolozzi using pen and brown ink. The Duke's head is cast downward, a posture of contemplation, perhaps even melancholy. Consider the recurring motif of the averted gaze throughout art history. In antiquity, downcast eyes might signify humility or mourning. Yet, observe how this gesture evolves. In Renaissance portraits, a similar posture can imply introspection, or even hidden power. Think of the many images of Mary Magdalene in sorrow, her eyes cast down, yet radiating spiritual strength. The psychological weight of this gesture remains potent. It invites the viewer to project their own emotions onto the subject, creating a deeply personal connection. This image, therefore, is not just a depiction of a Duke, but a mirror reflecting our own inner states, echoing across centuries. The motifs of power and melancholy twist and turn through time.