1758 -1810 · United Kingdom, Georgian portrait

John Hoppner combines worldly elegance, natural gestures and supple color in portraits that embody British society around 1800.

Trained at the Royal Academy, John Hoppner quickly established himself among London's most sought-after portrait painters. His success made him appear as a natural heir of Joshua Reynolds, before competition from Thomas Lawrence redesigned the art scene. Appointed portrait painter to the Prince of Wales in 1789, he received numerous commissions from the court, aristocracy and Whig circles. His models often stand out on open landscapes, in poses less ceremonial than official conventions. Hoppner often excels in open landscapes, in poses less ceremonial than official conventions. His models often stand out against open landscapes, in poses less ceremonial than official conventions. His models often stand out against open landscapes, in poses less ceremonial than official conventions. Hoppner often excels in portraits of women and children: fluid fabrics, warm skin tones and spontaneous gestures produce a living elegance. Beneath the apparent ease, the composition carefully balances social status and individuality. The "John Hoppner" selection notably compares Portrait of an Unknown Lady and The Sackville Children. His reading favors the material.

In Hoppner, the elegance of the portrait comes less from the pageantry than from a gesture, a look and a color made naturally present.