Jonathan Richardson by Himself
- The Courtauld Gallery presents Jonathan Richardson by Himself, a display devoted to Jonathan Richardson the Elder’s self-portrait drawings at the recently opened Gilbert and Ildiko Butler Drawings Gallery
- Never intended for public display, these works record the unguarded self-examination of one of eighteenth century England’s most significant cultural figures
- The display tells the story of these remarkable works in context with his other activities from this period of his life
- The display will run from 24 June – 20 September 2015, The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 0RN
- For further details and imagery, please contact courtauld@kallaway.com
This display explores a remarkable series of self-portrait drawings by Jonathan Richardson the Elder (1667 – 1745), one of the most influential cultural figures of eighteenth century England. A leading portrait painter, Richardson was also a highly acclaimed art theorist, an accomplished poet and amassed one of the greatest collections of drawings of the age.
In 1728, at the age of 61, Richardson began to create self-portrait drawings, which he never intended to be seen beyond a close circle of friends. This little-known series of drawings show Richardson adopting a wide range of poses, guises and dress, in some cases deliberately evoking other artists, such as Rembrandt and Bernini, whose works he owned. More than this, they became the means by which Richardson reviewed his life and achievements.
In one of the most original projects of self-exploration undertaken by an artist of the period, for over a decade Richardson repeatedly drew his own face. The drawings are often dated precisely, documenting from day to day his changing state of mind as much as his appearance. Many are drawn in chalk on large sheets of blue paper, from his own reflection in a mirror. Some are bold and psychologically penetrating, while others, in which he honestly confronts his ageing features, are deeply touching. A further group of self-portraits are drawn in graphite on small sheets of fine vellum and in these Richardson often presents himself in inventive and humorous ways. Sometimes, he copies his image from oil paintings made earlier, in order to recall his appearance as a younger man.
Also included in the exhibition are four portraits of Richardson’s beloved eldest son, who shared his artistic and literary interests. Richardson was so close to his son that he even referred to him as ‘my other Self’.
Together, these drawings form a unique and compelling visual autobiography. Above all, Richardson knew that it was through drawing – the medium he loved and described as “the very Spirit, and Quintessence of art” – that he could realise his extraordinary project of self-scrutiny and self-improvement. This group of works by Richardson makes an ambitious statement about the possibilities of drawing. It forms an important part of the Drawings Gallery’s aim to shed new light on fascinating or overlooked episodes in the history of draughtsmanship.
This special display brings together The Courtauld Gallery’s fine collection of Richardson’s drawings with key works from the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery and the Fitzwilliam Museum. It will be accompanied by a publication written by Susan Owens, former Curator of Paintings and Drawings at the V&A, published by Paul Holberton Publishing.
Jonathan Richardson by Himself is supported by Lowell Libson and the International Music and Art Foundation
Susan Owens, curator of the display, says:
‘Richardson’s extraordinary self-portrait drawings reveal his humour, his search for self-knowledge, his unflinching honesty. Seeing the full range of these works is an eye-opener. We tend to think of psychological self-examination as a product of Romanticism – here is proof that it flourished in the Augustan age.’
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Contacts:
Courtauld Gallery
Emily Butcher
emily.butcher@courtauld.ac.uk
+44 (0)20 7848 1149
Notes to Editors and Ticket Information
Opening Times:
Daily 10am – 6pm (last admission 5.30pm)
Late Events: 26th March and 7th May 2015 (6 – 9pm)
Closed 25 and 26 December, last admission at 3.30 on 24 December
Tickets available from www.courtauld.ac.uk/goya
Admission £7.00* (concessions available)
*Price includes admission to the permanent collection and a £1 voluntary donation to The Courtauld Gallery
About The Courtauld Gallery (www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery)
The Courtauld Gallery is one of London’s must-see art museums. Its collection stretches from the early Renaissance to the 20th century and beyond. It is displayed in the elegant setting of Somerset House, one of the city’s most dynamic cultural venues. The Courtauld Gallery is renowned for its unrivalled Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh and Gauguin and the largest collection of Cézannes in the UK. It houses a major collection of Old Master paintings and is one of the few museums in the country to display such a rich selection of early twentieth-century art. The Gallery also holds an outstanding collection of drawings and prints and fine works of sculpture and decorative arts.
The Courtauld Gallery regularly presents major exhibitions and special displays which are consistently acclaimed for their outstanding quality and originality.
The Gallery is at the heart of The Courtauld Institute of Art, one of the world’s leading centres for the study of art history and conservation. It plays an important role in the capital's cultural life and is part of London's Museum Mile.
“One of the world's great collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art”
- The Guardian