Share

C.P. Farm

Title

Sir William Cusack-Smith, (1822-1919), 4th Bt.

Date1851

MediumLithograph on paper

Dimensions

Sheet: 20.5 x 20.5 cm

Credit LineBequeathed, Mrs Sarita Catherine Willamine Daview, 1988

Object numberNGI.20852

DescriptionThe unique ability of a lithographic print to reproduce every nuance of an artist's drawing was its great selling point. Early lithographers were warned not to let dandruff fall on the stone, as the grease from that or from fingerprints or sneezes would ruin the effect. Here a striking portrait is achieved by working up the head in great detail, while only roughly sketching in the lower body. Thousands of portraits of this type were made of upper class sitters like Sir William Cusack Smith, an undistinguished Irish baronet who died without issue.
Inscriptionsigned and dated: C.P Farm 1851