Jacob Morland of Capplethwaite

Jacob Morland of Capplethwaite from 1763 is an early portrait from Romney's years in the Lake District before he moved to London. The painting reflects the provincial portrait practice that established Romney's reputation before his metropolitan career began. Romney established himself as one of the three leading London portraitists of the later eighteenth century alongside Reynolds and Gainsborough, working in oil with a lighter more silvery palette than Reynolds's warm Old Master tones. His...

The solid, straightforward composition and careful characterization reveal the foundations of Romney's portrait style, with less of the fluid elegance of his later London manner.