Portrait of Lady n.d.

John Hoppner made this ‘Portrait of Lady’ with sanguine on paper. The reddish-brown chalk gives a warmth to the sitter, making her features soft and inviting. Hoppner carefully built up the image through layers of hatching and cross-hatching. The repetitive action of the artist’s hand, building up tone and form, is evident in the final product, allowing the viewer to grasp the essence of his method. Sanguine was a popular choice for preparatory sketches and academic studies, offering a balance between detail and expressive freedom. The use of this medium connects Hoppner to a lineage of artists who valued the immediacy and tactile qualities of drawing. By focusing on the material and the process, we recognize how this drawing goes beyond a mere representation, becoming a testament to the artist’s skill and the rich traditions of drawing.