The artwork, titled “Thomas William Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield when Viscount Anson,” was created by Charles Turner in 1823. This portrait falls under the Romanticism art movement and is a prime example of the genre of portraiture.
In the artwork, Thomas William Anson is depicted seated in a dignified posture, exuding an air of authority and calmness. He is dressed in the fashion of the early 19th century, wearing a dark, high-collared coat with brass buttons, and a white cravat. Anson’s left hand holds a document, which adds to the scholarly ambiance of the setting, suggesting his learned status or involvement in administrative affairs.
The background features a meticulously detailed interior, which appears to be a study or library, indicated by the presence of books on the shelves and the ornate architectural elements such as columns and archways. Notably, a bust positioned in an alcove behind Anson further enhances the classical and intellectual atmosphere of the scene. The composition and detailing in the portrait are characteristic of the Romanticism movement, which often emphasized individualism and detailed representation in its works.
