Watkins, J.

Gender:

Unknown

Date and place of birth:

Unknown

Date and place of death:

Unknown

Worked:

(fl) c 1804-1828

Known places of work:

Windsor

Known techniques:

Greyish-brown thinned pigment

Known materials:

Card

Frames:

Unknown

Signature:

Recorded

Introduction:

Watkins is somewhat of a mystery figure, entirely without personal history. There has been doubt as to his/her gender, whether the surname contains a terminal “s”, or whether “J” is the correct initial! Few examples of his work remain, and they are quite varied in style and ability.

Watkins is known to have worked in Bath or Windsor. Speculation about whether he worked in Wales has been based solely on the fact that one family of sitters in an extant portrait appears to have a Welsh surname. Watkins’ output was probably not prolific as so few portraits attributable to him exist. However, because Watkins’ work varied in style it is possible that unsigned examples remain unattributed. When a signature appears it is within a shadow line below the bust line termination. Works attributed to Watkins tend to be smaller than average and therefore not framed.

All sitters have plain black faces while clothing is depicted in thinned pigment, giving a greyish/greenish effect. Brushwork can be very fine in some cases, but coarser and less refined in works such as the portrait of the Duke of Clarence. In some extant portraits delicate detail was done with pencil which gave a silver glow, while in at least one case the profile is highlighted in gold. Bust line terminations are usually plain and sloping though, due to the fact that portraits tend to be almost three quarter length, these terminations are not always consistent.