Thomason, J. (McKechnie Section 3)

See Section Four for main entry

Jackson (The History of Silhouettes and Dictionary) states that Thomason painted two profiles (owned by her) on convex glass with wax backing. The only labelled examples of his work which are currently available are those painted on plaster, but the two profiles on glass owned by Jackson were presumably labelled or signed. One (illustrated) appears to have been painted c. 1799-1800. From this one might infer that Thomason, whose plaster profiles are of earlier date, eventually ceased to paint on this material and painted a few profiles on glass.

Thomason's style in these examples is similar to that of Parkin (q.v.). Much transparency appears to have been achieved by hatching against a finger-printed base, and strong lines are used to define the shape of the turban-shaped hat on the illustrated example, as they are also used on the ruff about the sitter's neck. Jackson's illustration suggests that a needle was used to define some of the ornamental detail on the hat. Not enough of the sitter's hair is visible to enable one to compare the artist's style in this respect with that on his plaster work. The profile has no bust-line termination.

Ill. 1206