Head and shoulders portrait of a man, full face to the right in an oval 19th century

Charles Townley rendered this portrait of an unknown gentleman in pencil on paper sometime in the late 18th century. Pencil as a medium is incredibly interesting. It emerged as graphite mines became more readily available, a direct consequence of expanding trade networks. This availability democratized drawing in a way, allowing for more portable, immediate, and reproductive mark-making. The texture of the paper is crucial here too, isn't it? You can see how Townley uses the tooth of the paper, and the soft, smudgy quality of the pencil to create subtle gradations of tone, capturing the light on the subject's face. The softness of the medium lends itself well to portraying the fashionable, soft fabrics and powdered wig. In this context, portraiture became a means of recording status and lineage, reflecting a society increasingly aware of its image and legacy. The work, therefore, offers a tangible connection to the social and economic currents of its time.