Walter Strickland (1729 - 1761)

George Romney's Walter Strickland (1729 - 1761) (1760) demonstrates the vitality of eighteenth-century British painting during the Enlightenment era. As one of the three great English portrait painters of the later eighteenth century alongside Reynolds and Gainsborough, George Romney approaches the subject with restrained palette and luminous complexions, producing a work of both technical accomplishment and expressive power. The Rococo (c.1700-1780) emerged from the French court as a lighter, more intimate alternative to Baroque grandeur.

The painting showcases George Romney's elegant simplicity, with luminous complexions lending the work its distinctive character. The palette and brushwork are calibrated to serve the subject matter, demonstrating the technical command expected of a work from this period.