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J. Pierpont Morgan

Sitter Portrait of J. Pierpont Morgan American
ca. 1906
Not on view
Simpson moved to London from Glasgow to work as a poster designer and illustrator. He drew this image of the American banker and collector J. P. Morgan for Lions, a book that caricatured contemporary writers, artists and philanthropists. The subject has been reduced to pertinent essentials–an imposing figure, piercing eyes, heavy mustache, and discolored nose. As Morgan aged the latter feature had grown bulbous as the result of a progressive skin disease and official photographers always retouched it. As a caricaturist, Simpson delightedly heightened such distinctive irregularities. Using a strong block of black wash to define Morgan’s form, he broke the silhouette only to describe the substantial fist gripping a cane. Sparse, deft ink lines and dots indicate brows furrowed above fierce eyes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: J. Pierpont Morgan
  • Artist: Joseph W. Simpson (British, Carlisle, Cumbria 1879–1939 London)
  • Sitter: Portrait of J. Pierpont Morgan
  • Date: ca. 1906
  • Medium: Pen and ink, brush and wash with gouache (bodycolor)
  • Dimensions: sheet: 8 3/8 x 5 3/8 in. (21.3 x 13.7 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1966
  • Object Number: 66.620.9
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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