William Hobson of Markfield (1753–1840)

This portrait of William Hobson of Markfield at the V&A records the husband of Mrs Hobson, demonstrating Raeburn’s practice of painting married couples as pendant portraits. Such paired commissions were standard practice among the Georgian elite and provided domestic records of marriage partnerships. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays bold, direct brushwork building form through vigorous strokes of light and shadow rather than careful blending, with minimal underdrawing.

The male pendant matches its companion in format and lighting. Raeburn’s bold treatment of the male features creates a strong contrast with the softer handling typically applied to female subjects.