In Tate Britain
Prints and Drawings Room
View by appointment- Artist
- Thomas Worlidge 1700–1766
- Medium
- Graphite on paper
- Dimensions
- Support: 117 x 197 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Purchased as part of the Oppé Collection with assistance from the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 1996
- Reference
- T08618
Display caption
In this drawing Worlidge has made
a deliberate contrast between
the caricatured head to the right,
and the head to the left, which may
be a self-portrait.
During the 1750s and 1760s Worlidge
made many character studies of heads, inspired by the old masters, notably Rembrandt. He was probably also influenced by the general interest
at the time in the study of physiognomy: the art of discovering temperament
and character from outward physical appearance and expression. The drawing, made with Worlidge's characteristic diagonal pencil strokes, is initialled
'TW' with a flourish at the bottom right.
Gallery label, September 2004
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? We would like to hear from you.
Explore
- people(35,143)
-
- actions: expressive(2,655)
-
- laughing(70)
- adults(22,737)
-
- man(10,498)
- body(4,942)
-
- beard(219)
- head / face(2,549)
- education, science and learning(1,412)
-
- physiognomy(78)
- caricature(360)
You might like
-
Giles Hussey Caricature Sheet of Leonardesque Heads
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Caricature Head in Imitation of Van Ostade: Woman in Cap to Left
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Caricature Head in Imitation of Van Ostade: Man in a Fur Cap, to Right
date not known -
John Hamilton Mortimer Caricature Heads
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Head of a Man in a Fur Cap
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge A Young Man, Head and Shoulders, Half Right
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Head and Shoulders, a Man in a Fur Cap
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Head of a Man in Profile to Left, Wearing a Ruff
date not known -
Joseph Highmore Four Studies of Heads
date not known -
Lady Spencer Gallant and Gay Lothario. Caricature
date not known -
Thomas Worlidge Head of a Young Man in a Fur Cap, Nearly Full Face
1758 -
Joseph Highmore Two Studies of a Man’s Head
date not known -
Hubert François Gravelot The State Packhorse. Political Caricature
date not known -
British School 18th century Sunday Walk, Caricature
date not known -
Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland Four Heads
?after 1782