James Watt

Maker Henry Raeburn (British, 1756-1823)

SitterSitter: James Watt (British, 1736 - 1819)

Collections

British Paintings

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1815

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions30 x 25 in. (76.2 x 63.5 cm.)

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Label TextPlacing the somberly dressed figure of James Watt against a shadowy backdrop, Henry Raeburn focuses all of our attention on the famous inventor’s brilliantly illuminated head. Like many celebrities of the day, Watt, the inventor of the steam engine, wanted a portrait that would be both an accurate record of his appearance and an image suitable for engravings. Although Watt and his friends thought this portrait a good likeness, they eventually rejected it, with the comment that it “frowns too much.”

Status

On view

Object number63.38