Johann Jakob Bodmer
- Overview
- Extended Catalogue Entry
© National Portrait Gallery, London
Johann Jakob Bodmer
by Henry Fuseli
pencil, 1778-1779
15 1/4 in. x 12 in. (387 mm x 305 mm)
Given by Marion Harry Spielmann, 1939
Primary Collection
NPG 3027
Artistback to top
- Henry Fuseli (1741-1825), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 3 portraits, Sitter in 11 portraits.
This portraitback to top
The sitter's penetrating gaze in this confident drawing caused it to be originally identified as a self-portrait by the leading Gothic artist Henry Fuseli. Later research has, however, shown that it was a preparatory study for a painting depicting Fuseli's tutor, Johann Bodmer. Fuseli's style was greatly influenced by Michelangelo's anatomical drawings and the works of the Italian mannerists, which he had seen on a visit Rome from 1770 to 1778. However, Fuseli favoured dynamic contrasts which highlight the underlying structure of Bodmer's face. The darkened eye-sockets and simplified musculature around the jaw give this portrait its commanding presence.
Linked publicationsback to top
- Ingamells, John, National Portrait Gallery: Mid-Georgian Portraits 1760-1790, 2004, p. 60
- Rogers, Malcolm, Master Drawings from the National Portrait Gallery, 1993 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 5 August to 23 October 1994), p. 62
- Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 63
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- The Art of Drawing: Portraits from the Collection, 1670-1780 (19 October 2012 - 19 May 2013)
- Late Eighteenth Century Prints and Drawings (17 April 2004 - 5 September 2004)
Events of 1778back to top
Current affairs
Catholic Relief Act is the first to provide a measure of catholic emancipation, modifying the penal laws that effectively prevented Catholics from holding public office. The reform is encouraged by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, who had balked at various prosecutions under the statutes now repealed.Art and science
Francis D'Arblay, writing as Fanny Burney, publishes her novel Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World, in which she satirises contemporary society.Engineer Joseph Bramah invents a type of flush toilet, replacing the usual slide valve with a hinged flap that seals the bottom of the bowl.
International
American War of Independence: France, joining the American colonies in their fight against Britain, sends a large fleet across the Atlantic. The British rapidly abandon Philadelphia. The American naval hero John Paul Jones makes successful raids around the coasts of Britain.James Cook's third Pacific voyage, aboard the ships HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, first views Oahu then Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands, which Cook names the Sandwich Islands.
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