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General Sir John Withington Adams (1764–1837) by William Havell

General Sir John Withington Adams (1764–1837)

William Havell · 1820

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“This portrait of General Sir John Withington Adams captures a figure of military authority with striking detail, offering a glimpse into early 19th-century portraiture and the artist's skill in conveying character.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

General Sir John Withington Adams stands before us in this 1820 portrait, his gaze direct and confident. The artist captures him in a dignified pose, conveying a sense of authority and experience. His uniform, with its intricate details, hints at his military rank and achievements, while the subtle play of light and shadow on his face brings a lifelike quality to the depiction. This work was created during a period when the artist had returned from an extended stay in India, where he found success painting portraits and landscapes. The portrait reflects the prevailing style of its time, emphasizing the subject's status and character through careful observation and traditional composition, making him an imposing figure even two centuries later.

DETAILS
Artist
William Havell
Date
1820
Location
British Library
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What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

General Sir John Withington Adams (1764–1837)
01

The intricate gold embroidery on Adams's uniform, highlighting his military status.

02

The subtle lines around his eyes, suggesting a life of experience and command.

03

The way light falls across his brow and cheekbones, adding depth to his expression.

04

The dark background, which makes the figure of General Adams stand out dramatically.

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THE ARTIST

William Havell

1782–1857 · Kingdom of Great Britain

William Havell, a founding member of the Society of Painters in Watercolours, captured the dramatic landscapes of Wales and the Lake District before embarking on a global journey.

Read Havell’s full story
MORE FROM THIS ARTIST

Further Works by Havell

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Cilgerran Castle Cilgerran Castle 1805 · National Museum Cardiff Yachts of the Cumberland Society Racing on the Thames, circa 1815 Yachts of the Cumberland Society Racing on the Thames, circa 1815 1815 · Royal Museums Greenwich Woodcutters at Park Place, Henley, the River Thames Beyond Woodcutters at Park Place, Henley, the River Thames Beyond 1821 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Indian Army Officer Indian Army Officer 1822 · Reading Museum Lieutenant Colonel William Lambton (1756–1823) Lieutenant Colonel William Lambton (1756–1823) 1822 · Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Licenza, near Rome: Horace's Villa Licenza, near Rome: Horace's Villa 1828 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art Temple of Paestum, Italy Temple of Paestum, Italy 1830 · Reading Museum Tivoli, Italy Tivoli, Italy 1830 · Reading Museum
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More works to explore

Beyond Havell: works from the same years.

The Estuary Farm Same era · 1800s–1830s The Estuary Farm Léon-Victor Dupré · 1831 · Art Institute of Chicago Rome, from the Vatican. Raffaelle, Accompanied by La Fornarina, Preparing his Pictures for the Decoration of the Loggia Same era · 1800s–1830s Rome, from the Vatican. Raffaelle, Accompanied by La Fornarina, Preparing his Pictures for the Decoration of the Loggia J. M. W. Turner · 1820 · National Gallery Saturn Devouring His Son Same era · 1800s–1830s Saturn Devouring His Son Francisco Goya · 1820 · Museo del Prado Male Academy Figure: Half-Length, Side View Same era · 1800s–1830s Male Academy Figure: Half-Length, Side View Eugène Delacroix · 1819 · Karen B. Cohen Collection Two Men Contemplating the Moon Same era · 1800s–1830s Two Men Contemplating the Moon Caspar David Friedrich · 1819 · Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis Same era · 1800s–1830s The Farewell of Telemachus and Eucharis Jacques-Louis David · 1818 · J. Paul Getty Museum Amédée-David, the Comte de Pastoret Same era · 1800s–1830s Amédée-David, the Comte de Pastoret Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres · 1823 · Art Institute of Chicago Conflagration of the Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Same era · 1800s–1830s Conflagration of the Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Samuel Jones · 1819 · Art Institute of Chicago
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