Jonas Åkesson, Portrait Of A Man

Jonas Åkesson, Portrait Of A ManThis enigmatic portrait of a man by Jonas kesson (1879 1979) is a masterclass in charcoal. Note the strong lines, which delineate the creases in his jacket, and continue beyond the filled areas. These were created with confidence, a series of strong marks to sketch out a form. It's probably a self portrait given the likeness to the artist and we've included a photograph on his directory entry. The portrait is signed in the lower left and framed

Baker was a fastidious notetaker and kept records of the various landscapes he produced throughout his life

The portrait reminds us of a work by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) depicting Caroline Cox dressed in a similar way

Can you imagine the outlook from the cottage window

It was probably once hanging in a family home alongside portraits of siblings and the girl’s parents

Frame with cracks and age-related wear

A fine early 20th-century oil on canvas depicting a seated older gentleman opening a bird cage

They’re an array of tints and tones

Between an opening in the trees

Overall size: 38” x 31” / 97cm x 79cm

The portrait has been rendered beautifully by a well-trained hand

Dusseldorf and Dresden and won a medal in 1869

the carefully fixed hairstyle