Earl of Mansfield 1779 - 1780

John Singleton Copley made this drawing of the Earl of Mansfield using graphite and white chalk on blue paper. At first glance, the overlapping lines give the impression of depth as we try to discern the Earl from the background. Consider how Copley uses line to represent the Earl, not once, but twice, in what appears to be a study of his subject. By repeating the figure, Copley experiments with posture and gaze, thereby investigating the semiotics of power through composition. The blue paper serves as a middle tone, with white chalk to create highlights and graphite for shadows, effectively modeling the forms and creating volume. Notice the layering of lines and how this technique destabilizes a conventional portrait, and instead creates a dynamic representation. This method opens the image to interpretation and provides an aesthetic experience, inviting us to decode the image through the artist's exploration of line and form.