[title not known] by William Henry Hunt

[title not known] 

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Dimensions support: 113 x 81 mm

Curator: This is a small, undated graphite drawing by William Henry Hunt, from the Tate Collections. It's a profile sketch of a man in a top hat. Editor: There's a real immediacy to the rendering. The artist’s confident hatching captures the light falling across the figure. Curator: Hunt was a key figure in the English watercolour school, often depicting rural subjects. This drawing, though, hints at a more urban sensibility. The hat and coat suggest a figure navigating a changing social landscape. Editor: I see the formal elements working beautifully to create a tangible presence. The delicate lines articulating the face contrast with the bolder strokes suggesting the heavy fabric of his coat. Curator: Indeed, and it's interesting to consider how the absence of color encourages us to focus on the line work and the subject's expression within its social context. Editor: For me, the drawing showcases Hunt's command of tonal variation, using simple graphite to convey depth and character. Curator: A compelling glimpse into a moment in time, framed by both personal expression and the broader sweep of history. Editor: Agreed; it's the kind of piece that makes you appreciate the power of pure draftsmanship.

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tate 1 day ago

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/hunt-title-not-known-t10313

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tate 1 day ago

There is evidence to suggest that this is a portrait of John Linnell, with whom Hunt used to go sketching on the banks of the Thames. Alternatively, it may show a member of the Sol Club in London, where Hunt often sketched. Hunt uses the pencil freely and vigorously in this work, repeatedly going over the lines and changing angles as desired. His sensitive use of the medium is shown in the lightly-pencilled wisps of smoke. Gallery label, August 2004