Portrait of Isaac Richardson 1735

Jonathan Richardson the Elder made this portrait of Isaac Richardson using graphite on paper. The artist expertly uses the humble graphite pencil to build up tone and texture. Look closely, and you'll notice the hatching and cross-hatching, which gives the image depth, volume, and a sense of light falling across the face. The choice of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, speaks to the evolving role of portraiture during this period. While oil paintings were still the domain of the wealthy, drawings like this made portraiture more accessible to a broader segment of society. The medium allowed for a faster and less costly production, reflecting changing social dynamics and a growing middle class eager to participate in visual culture. In this way, the materiality and technique connect directly to the social context of the artwork, showing how the means of production influence not only the appearance but also the cultural significance of an image.