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Andrea Dart found this reference to a potrait painted by Charles Jousiffe in 1848.

 

Subject: Sir Henry Robert Dukinfield

by C. Jousiffe, published by Staunton & Sons, after Sir Martin Archer Shee
mezzotint, published May 1848
20 in. x 14 1/8 in. (509 mm x 358 mm) plate size; 22 1/2 in. x 16 1/8 in. (573 mm x 409 mm) paper size
Acquired, 1962
Reference Collection
NPG D35779

 

Portrait painting experienced a surge in popularity during the 1840s, largely influenced by societal, technological, and artistic developments of the time. In the 19th century, there was a growing middle class with increasing disposable income, leading to a greater demand for personalised and commemorative artworks. This newfound prosperity allowed more individuals to afford commissioned portraits, marking a departure from the exclusive domain of the aristocracy.

 

Advancements in technology also played a crucial role. The invention of the daguerreotype, an early form of photography, in 1839 had a profound impact on the art world. While early photographs were often formal and posed, portrait painters responded by adapting their styles to compete with this new medium. Artists sought to capture the personality and character of their subjects in a way that photography could not fully replicate at the time.

 

Moreover, the Romantic movement, which emphasised individual expression and emotion, had a significant influence on art during the 1840s. Portrait painters embraced these ideals, portraying their subjects with heightened emotional intensity and focusing on conveying the inner life of the individual. This departure from more formal and rigid styles of the past resonated with the changing societal attitudes of the era.

 

Prominent portrait painters of the 1840s, such as Thomas Sully, Franz Xaver Winterhalter, and Ary Scheffer, played pivotal roles in popularising this genre. Their ability to capture the essence of their subjects and adapt to the evolving tastes of the time contributed to the widespread appeal of portrait painting during the 1840s. The combination of economic factors, technological innovations, and artistic movements created an environment conducive to the flourishing of portrait art, making it a highly sought-after and culturally significant form of expression in the mid-19th century.