Three Oriental Heads
1770/1775
Medium
pen and black ink on laid paper; laid down
Dimensions
overall (roundel): 9 cm (3 9/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of The Leger Galleries Ltd.
Accession Number
1992.29.2
Art Historical Context
John Hamilton Mortimer's *Three Oriental Heads* (c. 1770–1775) is a captivating ink drawing that exemplifies the artist's flair for dramatic, expressive figures. Rendered in pen and black ink on laid within a modest 9 cm roundel, this intimate work—now laid down for preservation—showcases Mortimer's skillful line work, with bold contours and intricate hatching that convey volume and character. Housed in the National Gallery of Art as a gift from The Leg Galleries Ltd., it invites viewers into the artist's studio world. Mortimer (1740–1779), a prominent British artist associated with the emerg...
About the Artist
John Hamilton Mortimer · 1740–1779
Comment on works: History; Portraits; Genre