Young Man with Cap and Gown

Maker Joseph Wright of Derby (British, 1734-1797)

Formerformerly attributed to Allan Ramsay (Scottish, 1713-1784, active in England)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Dateca.1760

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 30 × 25 in. (76.2 × 63.5 cm.) frame: 36 7/8 × 32 1/4 × 3 1/2 in. (93.7 × 81.9 × 8.9 cm.)

DescriptionBust, three-quarters right, his left hand in front holding his college cap. He wears a short white wig, a tie with fine transparent bands, and a black silk college gown, over a brown coat and vest. His coat collar is velvet.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Status

On view

Label TextThis portrait commemorates a young man’s completion of his university studies, an important rite of passage that is still celebrated today. The subdued dignity of this occasion is borne out by the sitter’s deliberately old-fashioned manner of dress: a brown, velvet-collared frock coat over a matching brown vest. Over this, he wears a black academic gown with white linen bands at the neck, and in his hand he holds a mortarboard.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number33.5