William Etty 1843 - 1847

This photograph of William Etty was captured between 1843 and 1848 by Hill and Adamson. It shows the artist in profile holding his paintbrush, the ultimate symbol of his creative power. Consider the history of portraits, from ancient sculptures to Renaissance paintings, where the attributes held by figures were key to their identities. Etty's grasp on his brush is no different; it speaks to his life's work. Yet, this is a photograph, a new medium, and the brush here also hints at the changing status of the artist in the 19th century. No longer just a craftsman, the artist is now a figure of intellectual and creative importance. We see the paintbrush, an almost totemic object, reappear throughout art history. Think of self-portraits, where the artist holds their tools as symbols of genius. The emotional weight of this gesture engages viewers on a subconscious level, a powerful force connecting us to the act of creation itself. The brush has resurfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings as art itself has shifted and transformed.